Wisconsin Badgers

Former Badger rower and assistant coach to the UW men’s rowing program, Lowell McNicholas returned to Wisconsin as a coaching assistant after five years as an assistant coach with the University of Iowa Hawkeyes women’s rowing team. 

McNicholas previously joined the UW coaching staff for the 2015-16 season after spending time working at the Wisconsin state capitol where he worked in the office of State Senator Lena C. Taylor as the Madison Director.

McNicholas joined the Wisconsin rowing team as a freshman beginning with the 2009-10 season after rowing during high school with Camp Randall Rowing Club in Madison.

During his first year as a Badger, he helped lead the men's open four to a silver medal at the 2010 Intercollegiate Rowing Association National Championships. In addition, he led the second varsity eight boat to the title at the Eastern Sprints in 2012. He lettered twice in his collegiate career, 2012 and 2013, and was a member of the 2013 Academic All-Big Ten team.

At Iowa, he joined the Hawkeyes in December 2021, helping the team finish fifth at the Big Ten Championship in 2022 and 2023. In 2025, he helped lead Iowa’s varsity rowing team to their fourth year earning Big Ten Boat of the Week recognitions.