As the 2025 fall rowing season draws to a close, many rowers across the country look to end their fall with a bang at the Head of the Hooch. Held on the Tennessee River, Head of the Hooch boasts one of the largest entry fields of the fall season, with 35 boats entered in the collegiate eight category. Although no Division one schools will be sending boats to the regatta, the Hooch still attracts top club talent, boasting teams that placed highly at the ACRA spring championship.
University of North Carolina
The University of North Carolina returns to defend its crown, as the Tar Heels won the Hooch last year by a mere 2.7 seconds. UNC is fresh off a win, beating fellow competitors Duke and High Point at the High Point Autumn Rowing Festival. The Tar Heels also had the most successful eights finish out of the competitors in the spring, finishing second in the ACRA C-final. They have three boats entered in the event.
University of Alabama
The University of Alabama will similarly be seeking to replicate its success at last year’s Head of the Hooch. The Crimson Tide finished second in last year’s edition of the race, just barely losing out to UNC. This year, Alabama will attempt to take the throne, coming off a third-place finish at the Music City Head Race against many familiar opponents. Alabama only lost to club powerhouse Michigan, whose first two eights took first and second, leaving Alabama in third. The Crimson Tide has two boats entered in the event.
University of Texas
The University of Texas has mainly been a small boats programme under head coach Sean McKenna thus far into his tenure. However, they have had decent success when the Longhorns have ventured into the large boats, finishing third at last year’s Head of the Hooch. Texas still boasts substantial upside if they choose to remain in the eights, having won the championship coxed four category at the ACRA Championship. Texas’s top four also finished fourth at the Head of the Charles, making them the highest placing ACRA team in that category. The Longhorns have one boat entered in the event.
Clemson University
Clemson University will start towards the middle of the pack due to a 12th-place showing at last year’s Head of the Hooch, yet the Tigers seemed to have made strides within that 12-month span. With a fifth-place finish at River City with razor-thin margins over SEC rival and fellow entrant Vanderbilt, Clemson will go into the Hooch looking to prove that they are here to stay. The Tigers have two boats entered in the event.
Predictions
Given the vastness and variability of club rowing from year to year, it will be hard to tell who will emerge as the victors at the Hooch this year. However, the University of North Carolina Tar Heels have a proven track record at this regatta and with solid results this year on the Tennessee River. While Texas may have faster top four athletes, they will still need to adjust to rowing the eight; for that reason, I still think UNC will come out on top.
