Rutgers University
NCAA DI • NULL
Date: February 25, 2026
Would Recommend
Tags
Athletes on this team quickly learn to “fly under the radar” just to avoid being publicly shamed. Price has a way of twisting anything, whether good or bad, into whatever narrative suits him. In midyear meetings, he dominates the conversation and barely allows you to speak, while the assistant coaches sit in silence, seeming just as afraid to say anything. Once he decides you are on his bad side, it feels like he will do whatever it takes to push you out. If you get injured, you are sent to the opposite end of the building and isolated from your teammates, as if taking care of your body is something to be punished. It begins to feel like a quiet shaming ritual for anyone who prioritizes their health. He says, “Do what is best for your body,” but the message underneath is clear. Suck it up and get back as quickly as possible. He knows how to manipulate with carefully chosen words and a smile on his face. On top of that, there is little coordination with the assistant coaches. One day he will tell you to follow a specific split, and the assistant coach will tell you something completely different. No matter which instruction you follow, you end up in trouble. It is a lose lose situation that keeps you constantly on edge. If you choose to join this team, be prepared to nod along and smile at everything he says, even when his words chip away at your confidence. It can feel like you will not survive here if you do not. Over time, that pressure erodes not only your self esteem and mental health, but also your love for the sport you once felt so passionate about. Rowing is a beautiful sport. Do it somewhere that allows you to grow and succeed without constantly worrying about whether you are on the coach’s good side.