Kelly Lynch Named 2005 CRCA Regional Assistant Coach of the Year

June 1, 2005

The Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association (CRCA) announced its 2005 Regional Assistant Coaches of the Year on Wednesday. The award is designed to recognize the outstanding accomplishments of a member assistant coach for the spring season. Kelly Lynch, the Tigers’ novice coach, was honored as the South Region Assistant Coach of the Year, marking the third consecutive year she has earned the award. The recipients from the other four regions were Phoebe Murphy (Brown), Nicole Stimpson (Navy), Robbie Tenenbaum (Ohio State), and Anne Kakela (Oregon State).

“Kelly has been an integral part of the success of the Clemson rowing program,” said Susie Lueck, Clemson’s head coach. “She does a wonderful job coaching the novice, who are the future of the Tiger program. I am proud and honored to have such a dedicated, committed and hard working assistant. It is a pleasure to work with someone of her caliber.

“Kelly’s humor and wit are a joy to be around. As a staff we share the same passion for building strong women of character and integrity who graduate and succeed in their chosen area of interest. The common commitment in Clemson’s coaching staff combined with the stability of coaching together as a team for seven years makes Clemson a special place.”

Lynch received South Region Assistant Coach of the Year honors from the CRCA in 2003 and again in 2004. This spring, the novice 8+ was Clemson’s most consistent boat in terms of performance. Lynch led the novice 8+ to an upset victory over Virginia at the ACC Championship, only the second loss ever by a Cavalier boat in the event. She also guided the novice 8+ to a landmark win over national powerhouse Washington during the Windermere Crew Classic in California, the Tigers’ first win over the Huskies in any race.

Lynch joins head coach Susie Lueck in receiving coaching honors for the 2005 season. Lueck was named ACC Coach of the Year after leading the Tigers to a second-place finish in the conference.