History of Rowing in Wichita and at Wichita State University

Rowing in the modern era was brought to Wichita in 1974 with the formation of the Wichita Rowing Association and to Wichita State in 1975 with the establishing of Shocker Rowing. This was made possible by the members of the Wichita Yale Alumni Club (Thomas Kitch, Rob Wilkins, Howard C. Wilkins, Howard Wilkins Jr, and John Frazier).

The program at Wichita State is an Independent Varsity sport. The program has been successful on a national level including victories over Yale in 1976, a 1981 Dad Vail National Championship, and various other regional and national placings. The team is once again rising in collegiate rowing after one of the most successful fall campaigns over the last decade.