MEDFORD, MA (July 2, 2025) – A two-time Intercollegiate Rowing Coaches Association (IRCA) All-American and summa cum laude graduate of Tufts University,
Max Landers of the men's rowing team was announced this week as a finalist for the IRCA's inaugural "The Oarsman" Award.
New this year, The Oarsman award stands as a tribute to those rare athletes who achieve greatness not only through personal excellence but through a lasting commitment to their team, their sport, and the values that define true champions.
Since arriving at Tufts in the fall 2021, Landers has been in the Jumbos' first varsity eight all four years. During that time he helped the 1V8 achieve three medals (top three) at the Intercollegiate Rowing Association national championships, including seconds in 2022 and 2025. In the fall 2023, he helped propel the first varsity eight to victory at the Head of the Charles Regatta that was the first for a D3 boat since 2011. In addition to his All-American awards, Landers is a three-time NESCAC All-Conference honoree.
As a captain and leader of the team, he was the definition of a student-athlete. He graduated in May with a dual degree in quantitative economics and sociology with a 3.97 grade point average. Among several other campus activities, he helped to run the Tufts Investment Club. He received IRCA and NESCAC academic honors throughout his career.
Landers was awarded Tufts' Frederick M. Ellis Prize for the 2024-25 academic year, given for excellence in academics, athletics, and leadership abilities. He earned a Tufts Distinguished Scholar award for exceptional academic achievement in Sociology.
Throughout his time at Tufts, he maintained an exceptional commitment to the team. He arranged his study abroad opportunity for the summer so that he wouldn't miss a fall season with the team. In the summer 2024, he worked long hours as a Summer Analyst at Bain Capital, which led to a full-time position at the company which he will begin soon. He was able to balance this workload with training in order to come into his senior rowing season ready to go.
"I have no idea how Max was able to so gracefully keep all these balls in the air and stick the landing on everything he did," said George Munder, Director of Rowing and men's head coach at Tufts. "He's an incredible individual, unlike anyone else that's been on our team here. I look forward to seeing the great things he accomplishes during his lifetime."
Three winners of "The Oarsman" will be selected - for Division 1/2, Division 3 and Lightweight. The IRCA will announce the recipients on July 11.
--JUMBOS--
