A century of Aztec Rowing
As Aztec Rowing marks 100 years, generations of alumni rally to preserve the legacy and power the program’s next chapter through mentorship, memories and giving.
For a century, Aztec Rowing has been a part of San Diego State University’s history. From what started as a rowing club for physical education and social organizations at the San Diego Normal School, soon became an official competitive inter-collegiate team in 1925.
Over the last 100 years, Aztec Rowing has been a powerhouse in creating well-rounded athletes, including many who have gone on to compete on rowing’s biggest stage as Olympians. From rowing in championships to first-place medals, the program has also instilled a deep sense of pride in its members.
SDSU alumnus and former Aztec rower, Allan Miller (‘80), knows firsthand the impact the program has had on one’s journey.
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After graduating from SDSU in 1980, Miller made the U.S. Lightweight National Team alongside fellow Aztec Tom Bowman. They represented the country at the World Championships in Munich, another chapter in his rowing journey that deeply shaped his life, all thanks to the skills he learned from SDSU.
“My best friends are from rowing, including my wife, who rowed on the SDSU women’s team,” Miller said. “The lesson I learned is to commit to something bigger than yourself and create lasting bonds with great people.”
Celebrating the Legacy
It was alumni like Miller who inspired past SDSU Rowing President and SDSU senior, Rojan Taleban, to launch a major outreach effort to honor the past century the team has been around.
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From streaks of second-place podium spots to winning gold, the SDSU Rowing team has transformed over the past few years into something powerful. And to Taleban, rowing has become more than just a sport. Being on the team is something that has truly changed her life.
While digging through old SDSU memorabilia, Taleban came across trophies, accolades, photographs, and more, all things that not only represented the generations that came before her, but the legacy that they had left.
“I felt that I had opened a time capsule, uncovering the truth about our program. Alumni are the backbone of SDSU Rowing,” said Taleban. “No matter the financial state of the organization, the size of the roster, or leadership in place, over and over, our alumni proved to be the ever constant figure that kept the team alive through it all.”
In hopes of connecting with alumni and the team’s history, Taleban led efforts to create something that would highlight the legacy of SDSU Rowing in a personal and powerful way.
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In March 2025, SDSU Rowing had a Centennial Banquet to celebrate its 100 years of excellence. The banquet featured over 160 attendees ranging from coaching staff, rowers, alumni, family, and supporters who all gathered to commemorate the team’s incredible legacy.
A legacy that SDSU Rowing Coach Scott Walsh is immensely proud to be a part of.
“It’s a real honor to be part of such an incredible legacy,” said Walsh. “I can tell you from experience, knowing you are part of such a rich legacy like SDSU Rowing fills you with a sense of honor, duty, and purpose.”
Looking Ahead
As Walsh finishes up his first season with the team, he brings years of experience as both a rower and a coach. One philosophy he brings to the team is “Row hard. Row well. Be tough.”
“Rowing hard translates into working hard, rowing well requires attention to detail, and when all else fails, toughness gets you through just about anything life can throw at you,” said Walsh.
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However, underneath all the toughness of the rowers is a family. The program has been transformative in many rowers' lives, providing structure and support, helping them develop discipline, and allowing them to reach their greatest potential.
Honoring the generations and legacy that came before them has been an important part of Aztec Rowing’s 100th season. During this year’s San Diego Crew Classic, one of the biggest rowing regattas in the world, Aztec Rowing held a boat dedication ceremony to name two boats after two inspiring alumni: Darlene Disney and Ed Ecker.
With the recently initiated Ron Dietz Del Beekley Rowing Endowment, the program hopes to continue receiving the support it needs to take the program to the next level. The endowment, which is named after past coach Del Beekly and alumnus Ron Dietz, will help support funds to bring the rowing team back to a competitive level.
SDSU Sport Clubs, run through Associated Students, SDSU’s student-directed organization dedicated to serving and engaging students, have assembled a talented and committed coaching staff for the rowing program. Now, the program is calling on alumni to engage and support this exciting new chapter.
That’s where the “100 Alumni Giving $1,000 for 5 Years” campaign comes in. So far, 44 generous donors have joined the effort, but the program is looking to build momentum to reach its goal of 100 donors by the end of the Fall semester.
The next phase will be to expand the newly launched Ron Dietz Del Beekley Rowing Endowment. The endowment currently stands at $131,000, with a long-term goal of growing it to $5 million to secure a lasting legacy and stable future for the program.
Whether it is donating to the endowment or cheering the team on behind the scenes, there are many ways that alumni and the SDSU community can help support the continued success of Aztec Rowing.
“The biggest thing the SDSU community can do to support the team is to join us,” said Walsh. “You never know who will be the next Aztec Olympian. The more people that come try it out, the more of those people we will find, and the better we will be.”
For more information on SDSU Rowing and how you can support the program, please visit aztecrowing.com. To support the endowment, please reach out to Jen Stanley, Executive Director of Development for Student Affairs and Campus Diversity at [email protected].
