From Lady Bird Lake to the Charles River, Meet Sally Thoden’25
March 12, 2025
At 13 years old, Sally Thoden found herself drawn to the rhythm of oars slicing through water—a sport she had never considered until a family friend introduced her to it. Growing up in Austin, Texas, where football and soccer reigned supreme, rowing was an unfamiliar world. Yet from the first day of practice, before she even set foot in a boat, Sally knew she was hooked. Little did she realize then how transformative this passion would be, shaping her life from the warm waters of Texas to the storied Charles River in Boston.
Sally tried many sports growing up—basketball, volleyball, and soccer—but nothing felt quite right. Rowing, however, was different. It combined strength and endurance, precision and teamwork. By the time she reached high school, she knew rowing would be her gateway to collegiate athletics. Competing at Boston’s iconic Head of the Charles regatta during her freshman year of high school opened her eyes to the possibility of studying in a city rich with history and opportunity. Boston University quickly became her dream school, a place where she could marry her athletic aspirations with academic growth.
BU’s central location, proximity to the Charles River, and the welcoming rowing community stood out. The current coaching staff—Malcolm Doldron, Lizzie Mitchell, and Ciara O’Sullivan—provided her with unwavering support, guiding her through her collegiate rowing career. Their leadership played a pivotal role in helping the team secure a Patriot League Championship in 2024, a victory that remains one of Sally’s proudest moments.
While rowing brought Sally to BU, her academic journey took a few turns before she found her home at the Questrom School of Business. Initially undeclared in the College of Arts and Sciences, Sally felt a magnetic pull toward Questrom after experiencing its dynamic environment and collaborative learning approach. She transferred into Questrom in Spring 2023, calling it “the best decision I’ve made at BU.”
The Core Project, which combined marketing, operations, analytics, and finance, challenged Sally to develop a real-world startup, create an investor pitch deck, and think strategically about business solutions. This experience tested her limits but prepared her for the fast-paced world of business. Professors like Matthew Reis, who taught her first Questrom class, reassured her that she belonged, while Professor David Stolow’s course on leading social enterprises inspired her to envision a career that blends purpose and profit.
The life of a Division I student-athlete is nothing short of grueling. Practices doubled in intensity compared to high school, and the transition from remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic to a bustling campus was jarring. Yet Sally thrived, thanks to a strong support network.
Her parents instilled in her the importance of passion over perfection, always encouraging her to push boundaries. Her grandfathers, both collegiate athletes, served as role models of resilience and humility.
On campus, her teammates became her extended family, sharing not just early morning practices and late-night study sessions, but everything in between. Whether it was a tough workout, a casual meal, or even a simple “hello” on the way to class, her teammates’ presence gave her unwavering support every day. The camaraderie, trust, and encouragement within the team reinforced her belief that success is a collective effort.
Rowing has taught Sally lessons that extend far beyond the boat. Discipline, consistency, and teamwork have become her guiding principles. “No matter how my day goes, I know I’ll wake up and have practice in the morning,” she reflects. This stability and structure have helped her persevere through challenges and approach setbacks with resilience.
Sally’s summer internship at SailPoint Technologies, a cybersecurity firm in Austin, was a defining chapter in her professional journey. As a business development intern on the Technology Alliances team, she reviewed partnerships, collaborated with global companies, and streamlined workflows to improve efficiency. Her ability to blend technical acumen with storytelling—a skill honed through her business analytics concentration at Questrom—proved invaluable. Her manager became a lifelong mentor, reinforcing her confidence in her ability to make a real impact in the corporate world.
As she looks toward graduation, Sally hopes to leave behind a legacy of positivity, perseverance, and inclusivity. Her story is one of breaking boundaries—whether transitioning from Texas to Boston, balancing the demands of academics and athletics, or adapting to new challenges in the corporate world. She dreams of traveling the world, inspired by her international teammates and the diverse community at Questrom, before stepping into a career where she can apply the lessons learned from rowing and business to tackle challenges with grace and determination.
Sally’s gratitude extends to the BU community—from her professors and classmates to her coaches and teammates. “I wouldn’t be who I am without their support,” she says. As she moves into the next chapter of her life, Sally is confident that the discipline, resilience, and teamwork she cultivated at BU will serve her well in any endeavor.
This article was crafted by Jyotirmaya Patro (JP) and optimized using artificial intelligence.
