As a reminder, practice for varsity rowers will begin this afternoon, September 7th at 3:45 p.m. Welcome back for the fall season! In advance of practice this afternoon, below are a few quick updates regarding the search for a new Head Women’s Coach:
- A search has been underway since mid-August and there was a robust pool of applicants to the job posting.
- Coach Justin created a committee to work with him to interview finalists for the position. The Committee consists of Justin Ochal (Program Director), Hilary Gehman (PNRA Events Manager , former Cornell University Head Women’s Rowing Coach and National Team Rower), Bill Lamb (former PNRA Board member and former Head Coach at St. Joseph’s Prep in Philadelphia), and Dave Kuhlman (Mercer Committee member, Parent of Mercer Rowing Alumni).
- Interviews have been proceeding, but a final decision has not been made.
In the interim, practice for all teams will proceed as planned, adapting as needed. Specifically, until a new Head Women’s Coach has been hired:
- Coach Justin will be acting as the head coach for both the men’s and women’s teams. During practice he will be assisted by Hilary Gehman, Zach Spitzer, and Jen Boone.
- Any practice related questions should be raised by rowers to Coach Justin or the appropriate team captains.
- Questions parents have about non-practice related issues, should be directed to parent coordinators Jeb Barkenbush (girls) and Nanci Levine (boys).
We will keep you posted on the recruiting process and hope to have it resolved soon.
Go Mercer!