2026e5 – Chris Samul – Cranbrook Crew

In this episode, host Alex DelSordo interviews Chris Samul, a math teacher and head rowing coach at Cranbrook Schools, about his journey from a novice in a low-resource club to a collegiate rower and dedicated coach. Samul details how a strong sense of belonging and friendship kept him in the sport despite early losses, a philosophy he now uses to lead a varsity program of nearly 70 athletes. The conversation critiques the “professionalization” of youth sports, arguing that it creates barriers and leads to burnout, while Samul advocates for a culture that balances competitive speed with character development. Ultimately, the episode highlights the unique value of scholastic rowing in fostering long-term engagement and personal growth through a supportive team environment.