Chicago Training Center Rowing

More about Chicago Training Center Rowing

CTC targets Chicago’s most economically disadvantaged and under-resourced neighborhoods and public schools, where teens face numerous challenges including exposure to violence/crime, gang activity, and high incidences of childhood obesity and other health problems. Students in Chicago Public Schools (CPS) also experience low rates of academic success: In 2012, the citywide high school graduation rate was 61.2%—more than 15% below the average for U.S. public schools. Only 59.5% of CPS seniors graduating in 2011 transitioned to college.

As CPS continues to cut athletic activities due to budget constraints, these young people are losing access to school-based sports programs that can positively impact their health, well-being, and academic engagement. Via rowing, CTC provides teens of all athletic abilities with opportunities to improve their health and fitness, develop strong peer relationships, and build self-efficacy. As a sport that requires both individual dedication and exemplary teamwork, rowing fosters such essential traits as confidence, self-discipline, leadership, responsibility, and respect.

CTC provides quality out-of-school-time activities that can reduce risks of antisocial and criminal behavior. CTC further leverages crew’s status as an elite college sport to encourage its members—many of whom are first-generation college aspirants—toward academic persistence, high school graduation, and a wider array of postsecondary opportunities.