Swim Tests Required For Northwestern Crew In Wake Of Drowned Student

EVANSTON, IL — The Northwestern crew team now requires its members pass swimming tests following the accidental drowning of freshman rower Mohammed Ramzan in April, according to a spokesperson.

An investigation by the Illinois State Police determined that Ramzan had told teammates he was unable to swim before being thrown from a boat on the North Shore Channel and drowning on April 10.

After his death, Northwestern Crew made a series of changes to improve safety, including extra training and a safety exam. Members are now also required to pass a swim test, University spokesperson Alan Cubbage said.

Former members of Northwestern Crew told the Daily Northwestern that swim tests, which are suggested but not required by the sport's national governing body, had been required as recently as the 2013-2014 academic year. By the next year, a swim test was no longer required but instead only recommended.

Related:

• Drowned Northwestern Rower Couldn't Swim: Repor
• Northwestern Crew Rower Dies After Falling Overboard
• Northwestern Student Rower's Drowning Ruled Accidental

_{Top photo: Mohammed Ramzan | via GoFundMe}