Shawn Rashidi

Looking for the camaradarie, I joined my high school’s crew team as a sophomore in 2019. While in high school, I rowed 2.5 years (accounting for COVID season!), culminating in a state championship in the 2V4. 

I continued rowing throughout college for William and Mary’s club. We competed at local and national regattas, including head of the Occoquan, SIRA, Dad Vails, and ACRA. Unfortunately, suffering a disc herniation at a regatta, I could not finish my last couple of semesters on the team. I learned that an adaptive athletics program in Richmond, Sportable, was looking for an interim head coach, and pounced at the opportunity to apply the knowledge I developed to help others in the community. Inspired by the determination and grit exhibited by my athletes, I pushed forward through rehab, ultimately receiving clearance from my physical therapist to begin rowing again.

I look forward to returning to strength and rowing to support the Emily Whitehead Foundation’s mission to beat cancer using CAR T-cell therapy!