Six Oriel College crews complete Channel row to Dunkirk
Oriel student named Oxford University Men’s Boat Club President
9 July 2026
DPhil Engineering Science student Alex Sullivan will lead the OUBC for the 2026/27 season
Sullivan competed in the 2026 Boat Race for the Blues and began his studies at Oriel College in September 2025. He completed his undergraduate degree at Harvard University.
“It’s very surreal,” he said.
“There’s always this position sitting there and you wonder, ‘Am I enough? Am I what the team is going to need?’
“It feels pretty amazing to have that vote of confidence from the other members of the team.”
Unlike Oxford’s women, the men were beaten by Cambridge in the 2026 Boat Race and the mission objective for incoming president Sullivan is clear.
“The ultimate goal is just to win The Boat Race,” Sullivan explained.
“There’s a lot of things we hope to achieve, but what they all break down to is we’re here to win The Boat Race, that is what we’re all measured against.
“We all have the same goal in mind, we all have the same plan, and I’m here to try and make it run as smoothly as possible.”
Sullivan began rowing at the age of 13 in his home city of Brisbane in Queensland, Australia. The weight of history behind becoming OUBC President is something that’s not lost on him.
“I think it’s something that’s still kind of hitting me. It’s really special,” he smiled.
“You see people from almost 200 years ago who have done the exact same thing you’re doing.
“It’s very strange and I don’t think I’m able to actually grasp how long it’s been going. The Boat Race easily predates Australia being a country!”
The 2026/27 academic year is shaping up to be one with plenty to keep Sullivan occupied.
On top of his presidency and DPhil studies he will be teaching undergraduate students in his new role as a Graduate Teaching and Research Scholar for Computer Science at Oriel.
“It’s going to be tough, and I’m probably not going to have any free time, but I think you just make it happen,” said the 24-year-old.
“It’s going to be a lot of work and a lot of time, but I also think that’s why it’s worth it.
“I think it’s going to be an amazing experience, and there’s nothing I’d rather be doing.”
Wolfson College student Kyra Delray has been elected OUBC Women’s president.