Rowers Choice - Innovating Rowing: Recent Episodes
Rowers Choice - Innovation & Change in Rowing
On Friday afternoon of our Take over the Row - Coaches Conference, we held a happy hour and a recording of our podcast with two Philadelphia rowing legends, Mike Lamb and Bill Konopka. Enjoy this special episode!
Chuck Crawford is a rowing legend. After competing in the sixties and seventies, he started coaching in 1978 before taking over the head coaching roll at St. Joes Prep in 1980. Chuck is best known for his time at the University of Delaware. He started that program back in 1991 and has been involved in that program in some capacity ever since. Now years later, the coach and athlete tree that Chuck has created is one of the biggest in rowing! This is a must listen to podcast!
2023e15 - Ian Rapoport - NFL Network / Columbia University
Ian Rapoport is not like any of our other podcasts this season. Ian didnt go to college to row, he went to college to play baseball. When he didnt make it on the baseball team, Ian joined the crew team. He ended up spending 4 years on the team, and now, years later, still thinks about his time on the team. This is a very unique, special podcast for the 2023 season!
We were so excited to have this conversation. Al Monte is the new head coach at University of Pennsylvania. Al makes his return back to Philadelphia after coaching stints at Dartmouth and Bucknell. Al got his start rowing right in Philadelphia at Roman Catholic High School. He then went on to a great career at Holy Cross and with the US national team. We are excited to see Al take over at Penn!
2023e13 - Steve Coppola - Cornell University
"Don't wear a hear cape."
If you don't know Steve, you need to listen to this podcast. Steve had an amazing career at Princeton and went on to have an amazing career on the US National Team, including a Bronze Medal at the Beijing Olympics. Now Steve is leading the Cornell Women as he rebuilds their team. Don't miss this great story teller!
Smart, ambitious, and a rowing nerd in the best possible way. Trevor Michelson is going to lead the next generation of rowing coaches. He is a sponge when it comes to rowing knowledge and has had the opportunity to surround himself with some legendary coaches. A rowers at Wesleyan, he got into coaching at Fordham, before coaching at Wesleyan. In 2021 Trevor joined the Dartmouth team and is currently the interim Head Coach of the Dartmouth Lightweight Men. Listen to this podcast to hear his thoughts on rowing, his favorite rowing races, and the future of lightweight rowing.
Greg Hughes is a Princeton Tiger. A 4 year rower at Princeton, Greg competed with the National team for a couple years before coming back and becoming a coach at Princeton. Now, more than 20 years later, he continues to lead the successful Tiger Heavyweights. Not the biggest rower, Greg found his way to rowing at Brentwood, before making his way to Princeton. His story is something all rowers should hear!
Matt Smith is the Associate Head Coach of the Princeton Mens Crew Team. Matt grew up in Virginia, went to school at Wisconsin and served our country as an officer in the US Army before coming back to the US and getting involved in coaching rowing. This is a great conversation with an amazing coach!
This week we have an amazing podcast with the legendary Yaz Farooq!
Be sure to listen to her story about her journey from being a coxswain at @badgerwrowing, to the national team, to @nbcolympics, to @stanfordwcrew, and now at @washingtonrowing! Be sure to listen to the full podcast in the link above!
@yaz_farooq #rowing #usrowing #washingtonrowing
Al Acosta was a late starter. He learned to row his freshman year of college, mainly because he heard they "had good parties". Not long after, Al started his coaching career because of a conversation he had while sitting in traffic in Oakland. Yes, this is a true story, you will have to listen for the details. After starting the successful Stanford Lightweight Womens team, Al now finds himself leading the Cal Women. This is a great conversation with a great coach! {{rowing}}
Alex has a great conversation with Cornell head coach Todd Kennett! They cover everything from throwing hay bales, to sled dogs, to why bringing back freshman rowing at the IRA level could be important. Dont miss these great stories with Todd!
Will Porter is one of the most successful Womens rowing coaches in history, but a very successful rower in his own right. Will rowed internationally, and even set the course record at @hocr1965 before his coaching career started. Be sure to check out this great podcast!
It all started in a dream. No, seriously, Dave had a dream about it! Without dreaming about being in a boat, and some determination, who knows where Syracuse Head Coach Dave Reischman might have ended up. Dave started rowing at Gonzaga, and then got his coaching start under the legendary Harry Parker. Now 21 seasons later, Dave has Syracuse Mens Rowing in as good of a position as they have ever been.
2023e4 - Chris Clark - Wisconsin
Chris Clark has been a staple in Wisconsin since the mid 1990s and has solidified himself as one of the best coaches in college rowing. Originally from California, ending up in cold and snowy Madison, Wisconsin would have seemed very unlikely, but after catching the rowing bug at Orange Coast College, transferring to Cal and a short stint [living in a VW Van] at Navy, Chris found himself at Wisconsin and has been there ever since. Dont miss this episode!
2023e3 - Scott Frandsen - Cal Scott Frandsen might be one of the most competitive guys we have ever spoken to. Scott grew up in Canada, rowed at Cal, raced for Canada at the olympics and is now back at Cal trying to leave his mark in a program full of history. You dont want to miss this episode!
What better follow up to 2023e1's interview with Steve Gladstone, future head coach of Yale, Mike Gennaro. Mike is Philly guy through and through, learning to row at the legendary St. Joe's Prep. After rowing at Prep, he spent time at Syracuse and the national team before getting the opportunity to coach with coach Gladstone. Now, after 7 years of dedicated learning, Mike looks forward to this last season under Gladstone before taking the helm.
Rowers Choice Podcast - 2023e1 Steve Gladstone
Steve Gladstone has won more races at the elite level than most coaches will win in entire careers. With experience at Cal, Brown, and Yale, Steve is arguably one of the top rowing coaches in history. Don't miss this amazing interview!
Spencer comes from a family with deep rowing history. Spencer's Grandfather was a rowing coach, Spencer's father was a rowing coach, and it only makes sense that Spencer became a rowing coach. Spencer started his rowing career taking naps in his dads launch while he coached, then went on to a great career at Princeton and is now the head coach at Deerfield Academy, where he coaches with one of his brothers. You could say that Spencer was born to be a rowing coach!
2022e29 - Rowers Choice Podcast + Fr. Mark Connell - San MiguelThis was not the podcast we expected when we started. Father Mark Connell got his first taste of rowing in high school, but wasn't in the sport long. After he understood that God has some other plans for him, he became a priest and ultimately ended up at San Miguel Academy. Nearly 48 years later, Fr. Mark is changing the sport and the lives of kids at San Miguel Academy. Please take 5 minutes to support this program! https://newburghsanmiguel.org/programs/san-miguel-rowing/
2022e28 - James Long Lerno - Newport Sea BaseJames Got his start back at Long Beach Crew before rowing at both Orange Coast College and Cal. He then trained and raced with the US National team before an injury caused him to stop competing and start coaching. Now James has coached at Marin, USC, and is not the Executive Director of Newport Sea Base. One of the top coaches in the country, James led his boys to win the 4x in the 2022 National Championship.
2022e27 - Rowers Choice Podcast - Julian Canha
Julian's love of rowing started young. His father was a rower and needed a coxswain to steer the masters boat early in the morning. This was the hook Julian needed. After being part of a small team at Montclair, and having to fight for every stroke at Michigan, Julian eventually got the coaching bug while at law school. Now, years later, Julian is teaching kids in the greater Washington DC area about rowing, and making a fast team in the process!
2022e26 - Rowers Choice Podcast + Julie Hansen - Babbel - 106
Julie Hansen is relatively new to rowing, but has already found herself immersed in the sport. Julie is the US CEO of Babbel, and about 5 years ago decided to check out rowing. Following a rowing class, Julie is now a member of Pelham Community Rowing Association and uses rowing as a way to exercise and enjoy the outdoors. Additionally her daughter rows on the exceptional Greenwich team, giving them something extra to talk about at the dinner table.
Enjoy this fun podcast with Julie!
2022e25 - Rowers Choice Podcast - Beth Anderson
One of the funniest and best podcast guests we have had yet! Her path to rowing was anything but typical. Introduced to rowing by a legend of a coach in Bebe Bryans, Beth caught the rowing bug, and spent time coaching at Purdue, UCDavis, Oakland Strokes and now NorCAl.
Check out today's podcast with @norcal.crew Executive Director Beth Anderson!
rowing #usrowing #rowerschoice #rowingrelated
2022e24 - Rowers Choice Podcast - Sarah Puddicombe Don't miss todays podcast with Capital Junior Crew coach Sarah Puddicombe! We were so excited to have her join us to talk about how she got into rowing, her college racing experience, her time at Cal, and everything she has going now at Capital Crew! #rowing #usrowing #rowingrelated #finishlineshellrepair #rowerschoice @capital_jrcrew
2022e23 - Rowers Choice Podcast + Holly Hatton - Bromfield Acton - Boxborough Rowing
Holly Hatton is a rowing legend. Not many people with her experience and who competed at her level can say they found rowing through a party with friends in Philadelphia. Holly competed in some of the most elite rowing races around the world, and has great stories about her time rowing and competing with the National Team. After she was done competing, she has build a legendary coaching career coaching at Harvard/Radcliffe for 13 years, Boston University for 12 years, and now at Bromfield Acton Boxborough. She was an amazing guest and we cant wait to hear more of her stories!
2022e22 - Rowers Choice Podcast - John Fife
John Fife wasn't the biggest and fastest kid at The Prep, but he was consistent, always working hard, and didnt miss his opportunity when it presented itself. After being introduced to rowing at The Prep, Coach Fife went on to Penn and eventually law school at Rutgers. While at law school, Coach Fife got hooked on coaching and from there made it his career. After a successful stint at Jesuit Prep in Dallas, he is now back at his alma-mater, leading them to major wins in the last couple years.
Coach Fife and Alex talk about his approach and practices leading up to some of the biggest races, as well as the importance of taking some time away to renew the drive each season.
2022e21 - Rowers Choice Podcast - Mike Wallin - Chicago Rowing Foundation.
Mike Wallin is not your average rowing coach. Mike got his start with St Joes Prep when he was looking for something to do to stay in shape for basketball. After rowing at Prep for Philly legend Bill Lamb, he rowed at Cal for the legendary Steve Gladstone.
Now Mike is building his own incredible career in Chicago. When Mike showed up in Chicago, the team didnt look like it does now. He strategically grew the team, rowing primarily 8s, with a unique practice philosophy of less meters, but more power. Coming off a win in the Womens 8 at Youth Nationals, we interviewed Mike as he was prepping to take the U19 US National team Womens 8+ to the world championships. [Spoiler Alert: They won that race too]. Do not miss this podcast with Mike Wallin!
2022e20 - Rowers Choice Podcast - Chris Leonard Chris Leonard is the Head Coach of White Rock Rowing in Dallas Texas. Chris got his start in rowing in New York at Iona Prep when he was carried down to the coaches office when they needed a coxswain.
After coxing at Iona Prep and then at Marist, Chris has gone East and West, coaching at Harvard, Marin, Capital and now at White Rock Rowing.
Chris's knowledge of rowing combined with his passion for rowing is contagious!
2022e19 - Rowers Choice Podcast - Ted Haley Ted Haley is the head coach of St Albans Rowing. After getting his start at Canisius High, he went on to row at Georgetown in Washington DC. Ted's simple and straightforward approach has given him great success since 1993 when he started at St. Albans.
She almost left rowing! When she started at rowing as a freshman in college, Kari almost walked away from the sport. Now 30+ years later she has spent most of her life in and around rowing. Rowing at Stanford and then Navy, she then spent time in her single while stationed on base and following other practices on the Potomac. Now as the head coach at Washington College, Kari is sharing her passion with the students there. This is a fun and amazing story!
This is a special edition podcast. In April, Rowers Choice recorded its 3rd ever RowersChoice Live, a Live special event where we brought three college coaches to Washington DC. Eric Carcich of UMass, Bryan Volpenhein of Penn, and Rebecca Grzybowski of Temple joined us in front of a live audience of athletes, coaches and parents to discuss culture, the transition from high school to college rowing, and how to manage the recruiting process. This conversation covered a number of great topics and included a Live Question and Answer session at the end where parents, athletes and coaches were able to ask questions to this group of coaches.
Dan Martin is the head coach of Grand Valley State University. Dan got his start down in Virginia's beautiful Occoquan Reservoir with Lake Braddock Crew and then was a walk on at University of Virginia mens crew team. After becoming a high school chemistry teacher, Dan realized how much he loved coaching and it became a full time pursuit. Now the head coach at Grand Valley State University, Dan is writing a new chapter in their storied history book.
To learn more about Grand Valley State University rowing, you can find dan here: https://www.gvsu.edu/clubsports/rowing-club-30.htm
It all started with the 'Salad Bar'. Stetson University head coach Jamie Francis learned to row in the salad bar? at the salad bar? In a boat named the salad bar because his high school program had bought the boat from a restaurant that was using the boat to display the salad bar. From there Jamie went on to row in college, and moved into coaching. After a journey that included Penn State, Mercyhurst, and Embry Riddle, Jamie now is the head coach of Stetson University where he is seeing early success.
To learn more about Stetson University Rowing, you can find more information here: https://gohatters.com/sports/womens-rowing
rowing #usrowing #stetsonuniversity
He may have never gotten above the 3rd 8+ while at Washington, but Glenn Putyrae has been coaching collegiately for almost 20 years at the highest level. Starting first as a graduate assistant and cleaning carpets to make ends meet, Glenn has experience at Gonzaga and Georgetown, all of which made him an ideal candidate for Alabama where he has been the head coach since 2018. This is a great podcast!
To learn more about Alabama Womens Rowing and connect with Glenn, you can find out more information here: https://rolltide.com/sports/womens-rowing
Dartmouth Womens head coach Nancy LaRocque has some amazing coaching experience. Originally from New Hampshire, Dartmouth is pretty close to home for Nancy. Nancy has a wealth of coaching experience to pull from, starting at Vassar, West Virginia, Tennessee, and Madison, with a couple stints at Specialized Bikes too! Now at Dartmouth, Nancy has her eyes on winning an Ivy League title.
If you are interested in connecting with Nancy or Dartmouth Womens rowing, you can find more information here: https://dartmouthsports.com/sports/womens-rowing
Maddie has rowed and been a part of rowing programs in some of the most iconic rowing places in the US. She started on Boathouse Row, rowed at Princeton, coached in San Francisco, and is now the head coach and director of rowing at Boston University. This is an amazing conversation!
To learn more about BU rowing and get in touch with Maddie, you can find more info here : https://goterriers.com/sports/womens-crew
Manny was supposed to play college basketball. When he got to Ithaca he expected to be the garbageman on the basketball team. Now, Manny is the head coach at Skidmore College. After at Ithaca and briefly at Marietta, Manny honed his skills at Sagamore and Saratoga before landing at Skidmore. Now at Skidmore, Manny is working hard to preserve the legacy before him while writing a new chapter in Skidmore Rowing history.
To learn more about Skidmore Crew, check out -https://skidmoreathletics.com/sports/womens-crew
Rowers Choice Live in Nashville at Montgomery Bell Academy was a great night. We host a great conversation with Nich Lee Parker from Columbia University and Sam Pratt of Adrian College to talk about rowing in college and rowing at the next level. This is a must listen to show!
3 time Olympian. 3 time World Champ. Who wouldn't want to row for Bryan Volpenhein. Penn's Heavyweight mens rowing coach, Bryan Volpenhein, is a fierce competitor and is bringing that energy to Penn. Late to the sport, Bryan started rowing at Ohio State and quickly climbed the USRowing ladder. After a heartbreaking silver at the worlds in 2003, his race in Athens was legendary. Now Bryan is building Penn into a tough competitor.
Asiya Mahmud got her start at a small program in Oak Crest, NJ. Now she is the Associate Head Coach of Rowing at Drexel University. Additionally, Asiya spent the summer of 2021 coaching the US Junior National Womens 4+ to Gold at the world championships! She is an amazing leader around the water and Drexel is very lucky to have her. To learn more about Drexel Rowing and connect with Asiya, check out Drexel Rowing at https://drexeldragons.com/sports/womens-crew/roster/coaches/asiya-mahmud/1475
Martin Stone got his start as a freshman at St. Marys College, started in a wooden Pocock 8+ and he was hooked! After coaching at Navy for a few years, Martin had the opportunity to build a program at Notre Dame and jumped at the opportunity. After taking the job in 1997, Martin has spent the last 25 years building an incredible program at Notre Dame.
To learn more about Martin and get in touch with Notre Dame Rowing, check out https://und.com/sports/wrow/!
He could have been a landscape architect... If it wasn't for a quick conversation with his coach Stew Stokes on a dock when he was a senior at UMass, Eric Carcich may have never ended up in coaching. After graduation, Eric got into coaching, starting at Umass, and quickly had the coaching bug. Over a 20 + career at starting at UMass, Yale, Penn, George Washington, and Cornell, Coach Carcich is now back at UMass leading the Minutewomen. His career is defined by hard work, and strong networking.
To learn more about Eric and UMass rowing, check out -https://umassathletics.com/sports/womens-rowing
Cory Conzemius has been around rowing for a long time. He is constantly making programs faster, first up and down the east coast, then in the midwest, and now in the central plains. Cory's willingness to grow and try new things has given him the opportunity to grow into the great coach he has become. Now at Oklahoma City University, Cory has a vision to make Oklahoma City into the powerhouse program it should be. To learn more about OKCU rowing check them out here:https://www.ocusports.com/sports/mens-rowing
Things could have turned out much different for Columbia University coach Nich Lee Parker. The goal was music, the result is being one of the top lightweight mens rowing coaches in the country. Things weren't always perfect for Nich, but after a humbling introduction to rowing a 2000m piece [thanks to Olympian Bryan Volpenheim], Nich got hooked on rowing and never looked back. Ohio State, Purdue, Yale and currently Columbia, Nick has some great rowing stories to tell. To learn more about Nick Lee Parker and Columbia rowing, check out this link - https://gocolumbialions.com/sports/lightweight-rowing
To find Nich's awesome Be Here Now hat, check out https://sunlifeorganics.com/collections/all
"Tall Athletes Wanted; or those tough enough to make up the difference!" Looking for something to do while at college, Rebecca wasn't going to shy away from that note. Rebecca first learned to row at UCSB, and now, just a few years later has worked her way up and earned herself the head coaching role at Fordham University in New York City. Alex and Rebecca have a great conversation about her path to Fordham and overcoming the obstacles she faces being one of the youngest women to coach a D1 program!
To learn more about Fordham Rowing, you can get in touch with Rebecca by visiting this link: https://fordhamsports.com/sports/womens-rowing
Rowers Choice Live - January 2022 - Dallas On January 31, 2022, We brought two coaches to Dallas to talk rowing. Dave O'Neill of Texas and Nick Johnson of Barry came to Dallas with us to discuss three main topics. 1. The Future of high school, college and national team rowing. 2. How do you prepare for the transition between High School and College? 3. What is the best way to navigate the recruiting process. We also gave parents, coaches and athletes in the audience an opportunity to ask questions directly to the coaches.
This was an incredible show and one not to be skipped.
Its very fitting that John Boyd is now the head coach at Iona College, after all it is where he first learned to row! John was part of a successful Iona team as a student, and in 2019, returned to Iona to take the helm. Alex has a great conversation with John, discussing his journey through coaching, starting at Radnor in Philadelphia before his return to Iona.
If you are interested in learning more about Iona College rowing, you can check it out at https://icgaels.com/sports/2020/2/20/recruiting-information.aspx
Sam Pratt was 5 years old when he first sat on a rowing machine. Son of two British rowers, Sam was destined to be in and around rowing. Alex has an excellent conversation with Sam about his journey through rowing to his current role as head coach of Adrian College Crew.
2022e2 Nick Johnson Barry University
Nick Johnson is the head coach at Barry University and has been coaching for quite a while. He started as a high school coach, gaining some great experience working with a number of teams in the Washington DC area. Now at Barry University, he has a great squad and year round rowing in sunny Miami!
Interested in rowing at Barry University? Check them out here: https://gobarrybucs.com/sports/rowing
2022e1 Jaclyn Smith Long Island University Rowing Jacklyn Smith got her start on Long Island, so its only appropriate that she is now the head coach of Long Island University. This brand new program has an experienced, Olympian leading the charge for their brand new program. Listen to Alex and Jaclyn discuss her introduction to rowing, her path to the Olympics and her new role as the head coach at Long Island University Rowing!
We end this years podcasts with an awesome conversation with University of Minnesota Womens head coach, Alicea Strodel. Alicea took over the Gophers mid pandemic, and has been working to create an exciting new culture. She has a long history of rowing at Syracuse University prior to Minnesota as well. This is an excellent way to end our 2021 podcasts! Be sure to check out University of Minnesota Womens rowing at https://gophersports.com/sports/womens-rowing
Kate Sweeney was born to be a part of Ohio State. A third generation Buckeye, Kate attended and now is the head coach at Ohio's most prestigious institution. Listen to this great conversation between Kate and Alex. Find out more about Ohio State Rowing and connect with Kate at https://ohiostatebuckeyes.com/sports/w-rowing/
Gregg Hartsuff started rowing by accident. He was supposed to be playing football! Considering he was a 'late starter', it's incredible that Gregg has been the head coach at University of Michigan Men's rowing since 1992. His rowing knowledge is seemingly endless, he is a founder of ACRA rowing and he has made Michigan rowing a powerhouse program.
Don't miss this podcast and be sure to check out Michigan mens rowing at https://michiganrowing.org
Debbie Prowse had an amazing high school and college career at Holy Spirit High School and Boston University, before taking time away from rowing to raise her family. Now she is back in the mix as the head coach at Liberty University!
Craig White is on a mission. He has a vision and a drive to change the sport for the better and knows what it is going to take to get it done.
He isn't the loudest out there, but he is talking about what needs to happen, and is actually making the changes and doing the things that the sport of rowing needs to improve.
This wasn't our traditional 1-on-1 podcast. Craig brought along some of his athletes to talk about their experiences and how rowing has made an impact of their lives.
This is a must listen!
First posted July 2020.
November 2021 - USRowing has recently voted to change the by laws and try to guide USRowing in a positive and forward direction. Alex had the chance to sit down with USRowing Board of Directors President Nobu Ishizuka and discuss the changes, what USRowing is trying to accomplish with the changes, and the future of USRowing.
Brian Conley is the Head Coach at Lehigh University. With experience at St. Joes Prep, Penn, Lower Merion, Dartmouth, and now Lehigh, Brian has been in and around rowing for a long time. He has used this experience to build one of the fastest programs in the Patriot League. He is an amazing coach and Lehigh is an amazing place to row. Check Lehigh Rowing out at https://lehighsports.com/sports/womens-rowing
Stephanie Ricker is the new head coach of Bryant University. She has great experience from a number of good schools, has overcome some difficulties, and is now on track to lead the new D1 team at Bryant University. Be sure to check this podcast out!
When describing Bebe Bryans, "Successful" might be an understatement. With 13 consecutive NCAA appearances, she is clearly on another level. BeBe and Alex sit down and talk about her start in rowing, coaching at Georgetown, Michigan State, and Wisconsin, and the time she could have run over Bill Clinton. She was a wonderful guest and we hope you enjoy this podcast!
2021e9 - Rowers Choice Podcast - Falesha Thrash Alex sits down with Texas Rowing Center head coach Falesha Thrash to talk about her rowing background and he finds out about something that the Texas Rowing Center offers, that we have, literally, actually literally have never heard of. This concept is an awesome idea to grow the junior rowing! Check the podcast out!
Alex and John go back a long way! This is a great interview with one of the best rowing coaches in the country, Stockton University Head Coach John Bancheri. Its a dont miss interview where John and Alex talk about Johns rowing background, his coaching styles and his new coaching role. #rowing #usrowing
2021e6 - Rowers Choice Podcast - Anita DeFrantz At this point, we have done a number of great podcasts. This one is one of our best yet. Alex gets the chance to sit down with and have a great conversation with rowing legend Anita DeFrantz. The have an amazing conversation about her start and career in rowing, and everything that we can continue to do to move the sport forward.
Cam Kiosoglous has been a USRowing coach since 2002. He grew up in Australia and moved to the US some 20 years ago. His passion and knowledge of rowing is extraordinary. He and Alex sit down and have an awesome conversation! Enjoy!
2021e5 - Rowers Choice Podcast - A Conversation With Martha And Morgan
We were honored to have two excellent women in rowing sit down and have a fun conversation about what its like to be a 40 year old woman training and rowing. Please enjoy this conversation with Martha and Morgan!
Rower, Ironman, Entrepreneur. Jack Nunn has a history in rowing that is nothing short of awesome. Son of rowing royalty, Jack has used is amazing rowing skills to launch his rowing career to a level that few have been to. His career at Cal Rowing was full of challenges, competition and 12 olympians! Dont miss part 1 of this interview with Jack Nunn!
Kevin Sauer has been coaching at University of Virginia for a long time. 9 National Champion boats, 1000 wins, and 8 Olympians later, not to mention his ridiculously long list of other accolades, Coach Sauer has an incredible winning pedigree.
Alex and Coach Sauer talk about as much as they could during their 40 minute conversation. Everything from Kevins introduction to rowing, his time in the 2-+, his competing at the World Championships, and the incredible rowing culture he has brought and built at University of Virginia.
Rowers Choice sits down with Tideway Scullers coach Chris Williams to talk about junior rowing, the pandemic, the challenges rowers face while rowing in the UK and the Global Rowing Challenge. Lots of great rowing talk here!
Alex sits down and talks with Owner and CEO of Pocock Racing Shells John Tytus, about the state of rowing in 2021. They talk about where the rowing season might be headed, how rowing shell companies will survive and why rowing is important.
We are back with an excellent new episode of Coaches Yelling featuring Premier Rowing League coaches Sarah Low, Matt Dignan, and Chris Leonard!
If you haven't watched an episode of Coaches Yelling yet, this is the one to watch. Over the course of 18 episodes, we have had some great conversations, some great debates and some amazing guests.
This week, we are wrapping up season 1 of Coaches Yelling. We conclude season 1 with 4 very special guests. Eric Murray is back again, as well as fellow olympic rowing champion, Susan Francia. James Hill joins us as well, not as a rower, but as a former NFL player, and our 4th guest needs no introduction. Jackie Joyner Kersee rounds out the panel for this weeks Coaches Yelling.
Q1. Should young athletes be specializing in sports, or should they play multiple sports? Q2. What are some things that young athletes are not prepared for as they try to transition to being an elite athlete? Q3. What advice would you give the 16 year old version of yourself?
Rower, Olympian, Lawyer, Producer - This woman does it all. Alex had the opportunity to talk with Mary Mazzio, the founder of 50 Eggs Productions and producer of A Most Beautiful Thing, to talk rowing and life in 2020. Her energy and passion is amazing! Check it out!
Eric Murray is one of a kind. Alex talks with Eric about how he got started in rowing, rowing at an elite level, putting in hundreds of thousands of meters, rowing with Hamish Bond, life after rowing, his son and much much more.
This is a long podcast, but its one you dont want to miss!
4 excellent colleges coaches this week on Coaches Yelling! Kevin Harris [Tulsa], Alex Canale [Manhattan], Brian Conley [Lehigh] and Hadzo Habiblonic [OKC U] sit down and talk with Alex about college rowing and what to do this fall.
Dont miss this episode!
Want to learn about coxing from some of the best? This episode of Coaches Yelling is INTENSE. Four powerful names in rowing and coxing get after this excellent conversation focused around coxswains!
Mary Whipple [3x Olympic medalist], Noel Donaldson [5x Olympic Rowing Coach], Whitney Powell [Coxswain expert and 3x Ironman], and Mike Lehmann [University of Notre Dame mens Head Coach and Head of the Charles winner] all get after these questions!
q1. What is the best way to train coxswains on and off the water? q2. Can a coxswain win or lose the race? or are they just field managers?
This week we had a great conversation about junior athletes. Guests Luke Walton, Mike Wallin, Grace Ludzak, and John Graves got together with Alex to discuss two questions around juniors - q1. What is the biggest difference in training for High School and College athletes? q2. What can High School and College coaches do to better prepare athletes for a shot at the olympics?
This week Alex got got to have a little different conversation- Alex talks with Kevin Goyena, a masters rower and founder of iCrew.Club. They talk a little bit about Bill Gates, Kevins start into the sport as well as what led him to come up with iCrew.Club!
Alex is back this week with 4 more moms who coach! They talk about things they have faced and overcome, as well as solutions to address the issues moving forward. It is another great conversation to further the sport!
Guests include: Sarah Puddiecombe, Catherine Starr, Beth Anderson and Anna Goodale!
Having no boat race this year sucked, but Alex got the chance to sit down with Cambridge Women and Lightweight Head Coach Rob Weber to talk about his rowing journey and coaching at Cambridge.
This week Alex sits down with some Mom's who are also big names in rowing to talk about some of the things that mothers who coach have to overcome. It is an eyeopening conversation that you dont want to miss with special guests: Mary Whipple, Megan Cooke Carcagno, Sarah Trowbridge, and Brett Gorman.
q1. How does rowing get more women into head coaching roles? q2. If in charge, what solutions would you implement right now?
Coaches Yelling Episode 12 was a lot of fun.
Guests Chris Chase, Casey Galvanek, Josh Butler, and Mike Wallin get into a great debate over training juniors and whether or not rowing needs to define "the best boat". You can't miss this one.
q1. What is the best way to train junior men and women? q2. Does rowing need to define "the best boat"
Guests: - Chris Chase, USRowing - Casey Galvanek, Sarasota Crew - Josh Butler, Westminster School - Mike Wallin, Chicago Rowing Foundation
RC Video Podcast - S2e14 - Maurice Scott
On May 1, 2020 Alex had the chance to sit down with Maurice Scott and talk with him a little bit about his path to rowing. Maurice was introduced to rowing via Bachelors Barge and then came back to it via Philly City Rowing. It is a great story about his experience, growth and perseverance in rowing and what has got him to the place he is today.
Coaches Yelling - s1e11 - Diversity and Growth
Rowing is not known for its diversity. It is not know for hero's either. In this powerful episode, Arshay Cooper, Aquil Abdullah, Mike Wallin and Chance Van Sciver talk about diversity in rowing and the importance of hero's in rowing. Rowers of all levels should enjoy this one!
q1. What are the obstacles the rowing is facing, specific to diversity, to grow the sport? q2. Do we need hero's to grow our sport?
This weeks guests are: Arshay Cooper - A Most Beautiful Thing Aquil Abdullah - Hydrow Rowing Mike Wallin - Chicago Rowing Foundation Chance Van Sciver - Doane Academy, Burlington Rowing
Coaches Yelling - s1e10 - Virtual Training and Masters Rowing
We have made it to Episode 10 and with the Corona Virus pandemic, Virtual Training has become a major piece of the rowing equation. Once this pandemic subsides, we want to know where does Virtual Training fit into the equation? To follow up on Virtual Training, it seems like there has been a growth of Masters Rowing- Moms and Dads, CrossFit athletes, etc. However with the fast growth of Masters Rowing, we want to know, is it actually hurting the sport?
q1. What does Virtual Training look like in the future? q2. Masters is the Wild West of Rowing- Is the Fast Growth of Masters Rowing, helping or hurting the sport?
Guests this week are: Shane Farmer @DarkHorseRowing Luke Walton @RowerAcademy Rob Foreman @FitForemanTrains Matt Logue @MPL716
Alex has an exciting conversation with Pelham Community Rowing Club's coach Reid Johnson. Reid has a rowing family legacy and talks about getting into rowing after playing hockey. His college career gave him a great foundation for coaching rowers, and now Reid has become a top level coach himself.
RC Zoomcast - S2e13 - Reid Johnson - Part 1
Alex has an exciting conversation with Pelham Community Rowing Club's coach Reid Johnson. Reid has a rowing family legacy and talks about getting into rowing after playing hockey. His college career gave him a great foundation for coaching rowers, and now Reid has become a top level coach himself. Check out part 1 of our conversation with him, and check back this weekend for part 2!
Coaches Yelling - s1e9 - 4 Olympians and Alex
Episode 9 of Coaches Yelling turned into a special one. This panel was loaded with talent and great conversation. Alex asks a question that faces all women in sports that Rowers Choice wants to help change.
This week includes rowers from all corners of the world! Emma Twigg of New Zealand, Jess Eddie of England, Kerry Simmonds of USA, and Lee-Ann Persse of South Africa.
q1. What are the limitations that women pursing their olympic dreams face, that men do not? q2. Should countries pay their olympic athletes to train?
John Leonard of Leonard Insurance Group sits down with Alex to talk about his rowing background, his family history of rowing, and how Leonard Insurance group came to be. John offers some great insurance advice for rowing programs of all levels.
Coaches Yelling - s1e8 - Create a Spectacle q1. Should the Dad Vail accommodate NCAA/IRA teams that never make the top 12? q2. Is there anything that rowing can do to improve the selection process for for the National Team
Guests Include: Zach Eberson Dan Garbutt Bryan Volpenhein Mike Wallin
Cory Sanderson has been through it before. Shortened season/school year, no problem. Check out this great episode with Nashville Rowing head coach Cory Sanderson, talking about growing up in a boarding school, his rowing, and where he is now. Another great rowing conversation!
Coaches Yelling, Episode 7 is here and it includes Alligator Prop Bets. Rowing fans, you don't want to miss it.
q1. Cal-Washington, Harvard-Yale, and Oxford-Cambridge. Which is the best race? q2. Is it better to be a rower in England, or America?
How much fun is this episode going to be with former Cambridge and Oxford rowers, Cal rowers, Harvard rowers?
Episode 7 guests include: Magnus Fleming Luke Walton Steffen Buschbacher Mike Wallin Scott Frandsen
RC Video Podcast - S2e11 - Will Scully "Ive never won without him"
Alex talks with The Hill School's Will Scully, talking to him about his rowing career, teaching and coaching and his dad rowing!
Coaches Yelling - s1e5 "3 Olympians and a Junior Head Coach"
q1. What does FISA do to increase the excitement around rowing? q2.Why is there a significantly larger number of foreign athletes being recruited to the US for rowing?
Episode 5 Guests - Jess Eddie - England Rebecca Scown - New Zealand Kerry Simmonds - USA Mike Wallin - Chicago Rowing Foundation
RC Zoomcast - S2e10 - Luke Walton - "Quit the Histrionics"
Alex gets a chance to sit with Olympian and founder of Rower Academy Luke Walton. Luke talks with Alex about his start in Rowing, his pursuit of an Olympic medal, and founding Rower Academy. If you love rowing, you will love this conversation!
Coaches Yelling - Episode 4 "Lightweight Rowing and IRA/NCAA Rowing"
Q1. At the collegiate level- what should the governing bodies of rowing do about lightweight rowing? Q2. Should the IRA be folded into the NCAA?
Episode 3 Guests: Kerry Simmonds - USRowing Mike Wallin - Chicago Rowing Foundation Luke Walton - Rower Academy Lindsay Shoop - USRowing
RC Podcast - S2e9 - Marty Crotty - "3 Degrees of Separation"
He may just know everyone in rowing... Marty Crotty of Princeton Lightweight Men's Rowing, sat down last week to talk rowing with Alex. It became very apparent early in his conversation that Marty may just know everyone in rowing. After dropping 39 rowing names during a 50 minute call, we are pretty convinced he knows everyone.
Coaches Yelling - Episode 3 "America should be the powerhouse in rowing"
Q1. In which boat is it hardest to win gold? Q2. Should there be a professional rowing league?
Episode 2 guests include: Kerry Simmonds - US Rowing Mike Wallin - Chicago Rowing Foundation Luke Walton - Rower Academy Eric Murray - New Zealand National Team
"A Basket of Cats"
On the same Friday that we announced the winners of the 2020 Virtual National Championship, Alex had a chance to talk with Sarah Low, the ED of Atlanta Juniors to talk about her rowing career and her role within Atlanta Juniors Rowing.
Isaiah Harrison is 16 and holds multiple World Records in rowing. Alex sits down with him to lear a little bit about Isaiah, his rowing, and what he does for fun.
S2e7 - Randy Dam @ Dallas Jesuit - "I started Googling rowing"
Alex has a great conversation around how Randy got introduced to rowing at Purdue, started a business, and got back into rowing in Texas.
Coaches Yelling - Episode 2 "It was like watching White Men Can't Jump"
Q1. Who is the GREATEST rowing coach in modern rowing[1975-2020]? Q2. Do ergs actually float?
Episode 2 guests include: Kerry Simmonds - US Rowing Mike Wallin - Chicago Rowing Foundation Luke Walton - Rower Academy Reid Johnson - Pelham Community Rowing
Alex talks with Chris Leonard of Capital Crew to learn about his rowing background, his coaching experience on the east coast, coaching on the west coast, and his team at Capital Crew
Alex talks with Rose Marchuk of New Trier Rowing to talk about rowing at Wisconsin and coaching at New Trier.
This is the audio only version of our new show Coaches Yelling. For the full video, check out Rowers Choice on Youtube or instagram!
Coaches Yelling - Episode 1! We host 4 coaches, rowers, rowing and Olympians in a round table to discuss the things that rowers really want to hear! Episode 1 guests include: Kerry Simmonds - US Rowing Mike Wallin - Chicago Rowing Foundation Luke Walton - Rower Academy Zach Eberson - Viking Rowing Club
Alex and Susan Smith from USRowing connect to talk about all things USRowing. They discuss Susan's background as a Rowing Mom, Starting a Program, and Running USRowing.
Alex and Nate of New Trier Rowing sit down a socially acceptible and safe distance via Zoom to discuss Nates rowing background at Wisco, and coaching at New Trier. They talk high school head space and how to stay focused.
Alex gets on Zoom to talk with Mercer Junior Rowing Coach, Jamie Hamp. They talk about hangin' and banging', wacka-wacka, and side-by-each, as well as how to keep rowers focused and driven. Sometimes rowing has some of the best terminology.
Season 2 kicks off at a safe social distancing length. Alex sits down virtually, with Indianapolis Rowing Center head coach Becca Kimball. They talk about Becca's rowing background, COVID-19, and March Mania.
Rowing is coming to a halt, hopefully only temporarily.
Alex has a quick conversation with Stu Sloan of Seattle University, and Mike Smith of Plant High School.
This is a great rowing conversation! Alex gets a chance to sit down with former Olympian and Miami Rowhouse head coach Franky Viacava in a great conversation that covers his olympic past, novice rowing and coaching, and some 2020 Olympic predictions.
Alex continues his conversations with rowing coaches while in Sarasota, sitting down with Megan Kuehm, to talk about being a rowing mom, and getting into coaching.
While in Sarasota, Alex connected with a young rower and coach who had reached out after listening to the podcast. Alex and Madison sat down and had a quick conversation about her background and her goals in coaching rowing.
Alex sat down with long time friend and rowing coach Zach Eberson to catch up and talk South Jersey Rowing.
During the Sarasota Invitational, Alex sat down with Stephen Rodriguez, CEO of Nathan Benderson Park to discuss the rowing venue, the impact of rowing on Sarasota, and the other sports and events that support the park. Turns out its not all rowing!
Alex has a quick conversation with Andrea of Pocock about her rowing background and being a woman in rowing.
Alex sits down with John Tytus of Pocock Racing to discuss all things rowing. They talk about everything from the history of Pocock to the future of rowing.
In depth conversation with Nick Bernard of Sykes Racing talk about the design and development of Sykes and Resolute Racing shells.
Alex sits down with his Finish Line Shell Repair founding partner, and current Finish Line President, Dan Reardon.
Alex sits down with Geronimo Fernandez and Andrew Rouse in a coffee shop in Orlando to talk Florida Rowing.