Washington heavyweight Logan Ullrich, Harvard lightweight Brahm Erdmann, and Division III’s Trinity College captain Jack Carr are the first recipients of the Oarsman Award, the Intercollegiate Rowing Coaches Association’s new honor, meant to emulate the Heisman Trophy.

The Oarsman recognizes a generational talent—a rower whose collegiate record is not only impressive but also unprecedented within a particular program, according to the IRCA.

Ullrich, a New Zealand Olympian who won silver in Paris in the four last July, rowed on this year’s IRA national-champion Washington heavyweight varsity in June and won the Lucerne Regatta in the single later the same month.

“At Washington, we spend a lot of time talking about what it takes to be a ‘true oarsman,’” said UW head coach Michael Callahan. “There’s a lot more to it than simply pulling an oar through the water, and Logan embodies everything that makes the ideal oarsman on and off the water.”

Erdmann was a member of the Harvard lightweight varsity that won Eastern Sprints, the IRA national championship, and the Temple Challenge Cup at Henley Royal Regatta.

“Brahm embodies the industriousness of this program and helped lead it from its lowest point to unprecedented success,” said Billy Boyce, head coach of the Harvard lightweights.

Carr is a four-year letterman on Trinity College’s varsity, two-year captain, and this year undefeated Division III national champion. He routinely held the highest GPA on the team, assistant coach Nate Clark said.

“His preparation was second to none, and his leadership ensured others came with him. He is an outstanding scholar who lived up to the highest academic standards possible,” Clark said.

Eastern Michigan University will add women’s lightweight rowing as its newest varsity sport, beginning in the 2026-27 school year. This expansion commemorates the 25th anniversary of EMU rowing and will bring Eastern’s total number of varsity sports to 20, including 13 women’s programs. It also represents EMU’s first addition of a women’s sport since lacrosse began competition in 2022-23.

“It’s a privilege to be at a university that truly values rowing and is actively expanding opportunities for the sport and for women,” said EMU head coach Kemp Savage.

The announcement follows the Mid-American Conference’s decision that women’s rowing will become a sponsored MAC championship beginning in 2025-26. EMU will be joined by fellow MAC institutions Toledo and UMass, along with affiliate members Delaware, High Point, and Temple. The first MAC Championship is scheduled for spring 2026.

Eastern Michigan will serve as host of the MAC Championships at the EMU Rowing Course on Ford Lake for at least the first three years. Opened in April 2024, the championship-caliber venue is the result of a partnership between Eastern Michigan, Destination Ann Arbor, Marriott Eagle Crest, and Ypsilanti Charter Township. Designed by Olympic course architect Tim Royalty, the $487,000 submergible course features eight competition lanes, floating launch and recovery platforms, and the capacity to host regional, national, and international events. National competitions have the potential to generate $1.5–$3 million in local economic impact.