With 53,984 male athletes playing on 601 college football teams, many schools need to find an easy solution to get more women athletes into the fold. And that's where rowing comes in. Ninety-seven schools now have women's varsity crew teams. Still, that's nothing compared to NCAA women's basketball with 966 teams. But more and more schools, like the University of Louisville, are preparing to get on board.
Fairy tales can come true.
Up to 90 percent of all rowers on collegiate teams are walk-ons, having no rowing experience before their first day of freshman orientation. I wasn't going to compete in college. But rowing has given me an opportunity to stay in sports. It's one sport that you can start at age 18 and become successful. Borger's teammate, Sharon Kriz, is a perfect example.