Coaching Philosophy: To develop the full person in addition to the competitive athlete. I believe that athletics can teach a person a great deal about themselves and offers a great opportunity for growth, both mentally and physically. My goal is to help each person I work with achieve their best performance in all areas of their life with rowing as a vehicle for doing so. Winning is a secondary goal to the achievement of the personal goals of the athlete, but with the understanding that the athletes together are striving as a whole to reach the highest level of competition possible.
Overview
- Coaching since 1988 including four years assisting Charlie Butt Jr. at Washington-Lee HS., and head coaching positions at Wakefield HS, Holton-Arms School, Gonzaga College HS, and with the Potomac Boat Club.
- Instructed all levels of junior rowing, (novice to varsity level athletes, men and women, and lightweight rowers) as well as adult and pre-/elite athletes.
- Experience in working with athletes facing demanding life events such as anorexia nervosa, pregnancy, and depression.
- Proficient in coaching both sweep and sculling technique, rigging, boat repair, and boat trailering.
- Author, The Down and Dirty Guide to Coxing
- Mid-Atlantic Rep, USRowing Safety Committee, 2022-present
- Chairperson, Potomac River Safety Committee, 1998-present
Coaching Positions
Private Coach for Coxswains and Rowers
- Work one-on-one with individual high school-age and adult athletes to develop specific skill sets based on their level of ability (both rowing and coxing).
Head and Varsity Asst. Women’s Coach
Washington-Lee High School: 2013 – 2018
- Work with the varsity women’s squad at all levels to prepare them for national-level competition.
- Developing a strong team/booster structure, organization, and team-positive dynamic alongside the rest of the coaching staff and crew booster organization.
- Focused on the goal of raising the team to the highest level of organizational excellence possible.
- In 2012 I worked as an asst. Varsity Men’s coach, taking time to re-familiarize me with the program.
Varsity Women’s Coach
West Springfield High School: 2003 – 2005
- Worked with the varsity women’s squad at all levels to prepare them for national-level competition.
2nd Assistant Coach
U.S. National Team Lightweight Women’s Quad Selection Camp: 2001, 2002
- Involved with the identification and selection of athletes for possible selection to the U.S. Senior National Team.
- Charged with helping determine athlete fitness, technical skill level, and mental readiness.
- Other duties included coaching of prescribed sculling style, rigging, photography, and local logistical support. Both selected crews earned the right to compete for the U.S. and medaled at the World Rowing Championships.
Asst. Varsity Coach
Washington-Lee High School: 2000 – 2002
- Coached the varsity women of this established team with the intent of developing them into national-level competitors.
Founder and Head Coach
Gonzaga College High School: 1995 – 1998
- Responsible for organizing and developing a start-up high school squad originally consisting of 45 high school-aged young men that grew to 60 members.
- Taught rowing technique and training principles to all levels of the program (freshman through varsity).
- Educated students on land and water safety in addition to teamwork and sportsmanship.
- Worked with the school administration and parent booster organization to create a solid student-athlete tradition within the program. Also involved in the development of budgets and other future projections.
- Oversaw the hiring of assistant coaches, and the selection, purchase, and maintenance of all water and land equipment.
- Represented the school at local, rowing-related, organizing, and development meetings.
Select Coaching Career Highlights
- Coach 2017 W-L Women’s Jv8, Stotesbury Cup bronze medalists
- Coach 2013 PBC Masters 40+ 4+, HOCR silver medalists
- Coach, 2003 West Springfield Hs. V8, NCASRA 3rd place finishers
- Co-coach, 2002 W-L Hs. V8 Stotesbury Cup finalists; Lwt8 VA State and NCASRA bronze medalists
- Co-coach, 1999 Potomac Boat Club Women’s Champ 4+, Head of the Charles 5th place finishers
- Coach, 1997, Kate Weeden, U.S. Junior National Sculling Camp 2x.
- Coach, 1996 Gonzaga V. Lwt. 8: Northern Virginia Championships- bronze medalists, Stotesbury Cup Regatta- 4th, Scholastic National Championships (SRAA)- 5th
- Coach, 1990 Potomac Boat Club Jr. 4x: American Rowing Championships bronze medalists
- Asst. Coach, 1989 Washington-Lee Hs. Men’s V8: Northern Virginia Championships- gold medalists, Stotesbury Cup Regatta- silver medalists, Scholastic National Championships (SRAA)- gold medalists, competitors Henley Royal Regatta
Education and Certifications
- B.A., George Mason University. Psychology, January 2001
- A.A., Northern Virginia Community College, Fine Arts Photography, May 1995
- United States Rowing Association, Level III (2002), Level II (1999) & Level I (1991) Coaching Certification.
- SafeSport certified, present
- Red Cross First-Aid and CPR certified
- Concept II certified Indoor Rowing Instructor, 2001
Other Activities
- Employed by United States Patent and Trademark Office, Design Patent Primary Examiner, 2006 – present
- Author of the Down and Dirty Guide to Coxing (www.thecoxguide.com), 2000 – present
- Mid-Atlantic Rep, USRowing Safety Committee, 2022 – present
- Chairperson, Potomac River Safety Committee, 1998 -present (www.potomacriversafetycommittee.org)
- Chairperson, Reopening Committee- COVID-19, Potomac Boat Club, 2021 – present
- Chairperson, Security Committee, Potomac Boat Club, 2010 – present
- Board of Directors, Arlington Boathouse Foundation (secretary) 1998 – present.
- Co-President, Washington-Lee Crew Alumni and Friends, 1998 – present.
- Columnist for Rowing magazine, 2009 – 2016
- Speaker and presenter at the 2002 US Rowing Convention
- Presenter at the 2015 Rowing Talks, at Washington College (MD) with Mike Davenport