(Photo Courtesy of Syracuse Athletics)
Orange oars are locked and loaded. The sound energy of a megaphone is blasted from Syracuse Head Coach, Luke McGee, and the Orange get prepared to outperform in the Big Apple, with the multifaceted parts working hand in hand to accomplish something greater than the parts themselves. Through the act of enabling the flood gates wholeheartedly in the eyes of seeking a higher standard both independently and together as a team in unity, the pursuit remains ever true to the ideology that peak wisdom is available to those who actively search for epistemology both in daily life and on the waters of the Onondaga.
It is safe to say that the rowing world knows that the athletes who carry the weight both figuratively and verbatim within the rowing shell tend to get overlooked by most observers solely due to their ratio of 8:1 or 4:1 depending on which boat class is in the topic of discussion.
When you look at the BIG THREE — Baseball, Basketball, and Football, the following terms remain an icebreaker hooking the conversationalists to immediate dialogue and an array of highly-passionate perspectives and utter takes on if teams across the nation are putting out their very best and elite gamechangers to seal the deal come gameday.
FSN’s recent installment, coined as “First String” is set in stone for what we as a Staff believe is one of the most critical positions in College Rowing combining an array of leadership impacts and value far beyond the waterway. We give this series to the “9th Seats” of the sport that drastically make or break the results on race day, to not only set the tone of the crew’s mentality and work-ethic stemmed in practice, but the forward-thinking, strategic, and highly-disciplined individual behind piecing the puzzle together for max-efficiency backed by a proficiency for accuracy, utmost teamwork, and support — the Coxswain.
In August of 2025, the FSN Staff circled the roundtable to spark the conversation amongst the College Rowing landscape and the tiers of elite drivers who in all reality earned a spotlight and their fair share of publicity backed by College Rowing’s leading analysts, For Stars Network’s Founder/CEO, Hudson Forster. Sharing his Top-10 Coxswains in both Men’s and Women’s Rowing, respectively, the crew received his highly-researched and data-driven list of Drivers who have big shoes to fill in 2026, and a team that will be corralled by their innate leadership stills and overall influence.
(Photo Courtesy of Syracuse Athletics)
With the next athlete “on deck” being a keystone selection for FSN’s “First String” Coxswain Series, we bring you New York’s very own, Syracuse University Senior, Dana Shearer, who got her start coxing for Pelham Community Rowing Association near her hometown in New Rochelle, before making her way over to the West Coast in the City of Angels, a member for the University of Southern California Women’s Rowing Team, before entering the portal to compete with Syracuse finishing off her collegiate career in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
Ranked as the No. 8 Coxswain in Women’s Rowing during the Pre-Season by FSN, Shearer was listed as one of five coxswains hailing from the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), being the fifth-ranked out of seven at her position in the Class of 2026 as Senior nominees within the first-ever installment of Top-10 Coxswain Rankings at the collegiate level in history.
We had an opportunity to sit down with one of the pillars from Syracuse Women’s Rowing, a four-time Rowing Conference Championships competitor, once in the PAC-12 and three in the ACC, while coxing three NCAA Rowing Championship crews during her last four seasons as a collegiate coxswain, answering to inspire the next generation of elite rowing-architects in the United States and beyond. Ready to launch, and rallying the wave of Orange, let’s get dialed with Dana Shearer:
FSN: What is one token of advice for Coxswains embarking on their Freshmen Year in College?
Dana Shearer: For coxswains approaching their first year of college, I believe that the most important thing to do is ask questions and be a sponge for information. Do not act like you know enough, or you’re too good. Collegiate rowing is different from rowing in high school. There is truly so much to learn. Whether it's questions about technique, athletes, or racing, there is always something to take away. I have learned so many things from picking my coaches brains and asking questions about all sorts of things. This has really helped me to develop and advance over the last couple of years.
FSN: How do you work on your craft outside of the Coxswain Seat rather than just listening to Coxswain Recordings?
Dana Shearer: Similar to my note about asking questions, I try to talk to my coaches a lot. I love to hear what they have to say and learn from them. This allows us to get to know each other more and see what we can both contribute to our boats. Also, I think it is really important to take care of yourself. I am the best coxswain I can be when I am taking care of myself. For me, this means getting enough sleep and being consistent with my workouts. Being fit and strong is super important to me. When I am consistent, I feel better all around, and I can be more present when I am with my team.
FSN: What are your top three songs to listen to before Practice and then for Race Day? Are they the same or do they vary?
Dana Shearer: The songs I listen to vary. I usually listen to the same songs over and over before I get sick of them. However, one song that will never get old is “Not Afraid” by Eminem.
(Photo Courtesy of Syracuse Athletics)
FSN: What is one call or move that you made in a Race that you’ll never forget?
Dana Shearer: A huge piece is just to take a deep breath and slow things down in your mind. It’s really common for developing coxswains to have a go go go attitude, which is great, but can sometimes lead to chaos and rushing. Instead, it’s okay to take a second, take a deep breath, think about the task at hand, and then go ahead and complete the task now that you have thought through how to accomplish it.
FSN: How important to you is 1:1 Coxswain Coaching during high school and what was the best tip you received from a Coach, Mentor or even Teammate?
Dana Shearer: 1:1 Coxswain Coaching is really important. There is so much speed to be gained from the coxswain seat. Working things outside of the boat is super helpful for bringing those tools and thoughts back on to the water. I have been fortunate to have received a lot of advice over the years.
Two of the pieces of advice that have stuck with me the most are to speak less and use less words since speaking less and using less words has been huge for me personally. It has allowed me to slow things down around me and look more at what is going on. I can be more present. It has also helped me to be more specific and particular with my word choice and what I am deciding to say or do. Additionally, being confident. A few years ago, before a race, I asked my coach for some words of wisdom. He told me to trust and be confident. You know exactly what to do. Just tell them how to win. Attitude is really important from the coxswain seat. When I am calm, and trust myself, I cox better. I emit better energy. Confidence radiates. The crew is more collected. It sounds so simple but is hugely important.
(Photo Courtesy of Syracuse Athletics)
FSN: How often are you coaching your rowers while on land? Did anyone teach you when to back off giving Critiques or Extrinsic Motivation and when to step in while the athletes are on the ergs or did it just come naturally?
Dana Shearer: Communicating with rowers on land and in the erg room is something that I am constantly trying to get better at and learn. The answer of how often is subjective, and depending on the cox, the athlete, and the relationships you have with certain athletes. There are certain athletes that I know need and want a lot of chatter from them in the erg room. This knowledge about knowing that they will use my feedback and appreciate it welcomes me to communicate with them more. For others, I know that they are internal and like to handle things on their own. With that, I think it is really important to take this athlete by athlete and know who you are working with. Also, balancing when feedback is too much and can be overwhelming is key. You need to know when to go in and give corrections, but also when it's okay to step back and just let them row.
FSN: What are three words that you believe best illustrate your character as a leader within your program?
Dana Shearer: Present, Orderly, and Motivated.
FSN: What do you want to be remembered for during your time in the saddle at USC/Syracuse?
Dana Shearer: I am so fortunate to have had the opportunity to row and train with all kinds of people and athletes at two incredible schools. I have sat in the boat and coxed alongside people way more advanced than me and I am so grateful for that. First and foremost, I hope to be remembered as a coxswain that cares about my rowers. For all of the rowers that I have been lucky enough to have been in the boat with at USC and Syracuse, I want all of them to succeed and I hope to have played a role in their success along the way. They are my best friends and teammates! Go Orange and Fight On!