Imperial Boat Club honours academic's 20 years of dedication to the sport

Imperial Provost James Stirling, Prof Alison McGregor and Prof Bob Schroter.

An Imperial Boat Club rowing eight has been officially named after Professor Alison McGregor in recognition of over 20 years dedication to the club.

Professor McGregor (Professor of Musculoskeletal Biodynamics) initially began her relationship with the Boat Club when Professor Bob Schroter (Emeritus Professor and Senior Research Investigator in the Department of Bioengineering) enticed her to join the newly-formed rowing interdisciplinary research group which he led. At that time, he also persuaded her to start up a physiotherapy support network for the club's rowers, which led rapidly to her strong involvement with British International Rowing. She has retained her connections with the Club in various ways ever since, particularly on the research front, leading a valued research program and providing much-needed advice to British Rowing. 

Professor Bob Schroter speaks about Professor McGregor’s dedication to the team, influence on British rowing and why the boat naming was a fitting honour for her years of service to the club. 

“Since the start of this academic year, Alison has been Chairman of the Boat Club and has shown remarkable drive to develop relations between the College and the Club in both its management and its image within Imperial.  At the same time, she has done much to assist the Club in its continued drive for excellence in rowing, both on the national and international scenes.  She has especially endeavoured to raise the standing of women's rowing.  The Club well recognises the efforts she has made on its behalf.”

“The boat naming was a total surprise for her - she had no idea of the boat's name until she unveiled the 'Alison McGregor' and wet it with champagne.  The boat is to be our dedicated top women's eight and a suitable recognition of the present standard to which they perform.  It is also appropriate that Alison, the first woman Chair of the Club, who has already done so much for the Club and women's rowing should have this important boat named in her honour.

The Imperial College Boat Club was originally founded in 1919 and has grown in strength over the years, seeing success at numerous Regatta’s and then winning silver for Great Britain at last year’s Olympics’ in Rio. 

Find out more about Imperial College Boat Club and Prof McGregor’s research through her work in the MSk Lab.