I Walked onto a Division I Athletic Team

Throughout high school I always dreamed of being a college athlete. I wanted to be the person who wasn't just someone who was "pretty athletic" in high school. I wanted to be the epitome of what it meant to be a true competitor and master the John Wooden pyramid of success. I didn't think this dream was going to come to fruition, though, coming into and through the summer after my senior year of high school. While I was a 5-sport varsity athlete, I wasn't a standout all-star in one particular sport. I knew how to win, but I wasn't the one getting all of the individual accolades.

When I came to Drexel for summer orientation prior to starting my freshman year, this all changed. I was approached by one of the men's rowing team coaches, who asked if I was interested in trying to walk onto the team after finding out that I had an extensive athletic background. This event gave me an opportunity that I had all but given up.

After training with the recruited athletes through the fall of freshman year, I was able to beat out some of the recruits for a seat in the 2012-2013 men's freshman 8+. Beginning in this event, I have had unparalleled success through my junior year of eligibility. That success has resulted in now holding the all-time Drexel record for most Dad Vail Regatta victories (largest collegiate regatta in the world), hopefully to be made an unbeatable record next year, and finishing in the top-20 teams in the country each of my three years thus far (12th, 17th, and 20th, respectively).

I have been fortunate to have been part of many great crews, and I cannot take all of the credit for the crews' successes. Regardless of what event I have been participating in, I have always had eight other brothers who were all working just as hard as I was. And at every step of the way, our team has also been supported by our coaches, athletic department staff, and to a very significant level by the school administration. Without any of these components, our success would not be nearly as significant as it has been.  I have many friends who are members of collegiate programs, rowing and otherwise, and I have not heard of any who have a school so unified in their support of the program. My teammates and I are most grateful for this.

Dave Hanrahan (Class of 2017) is a Finance major from Mullica Hill, NJ.