Rowing News | CCA Announces National Coach and Staff of the Year Awards

The CRCA is pleased to announce its 2024 Coaches of the Year. These coaches
represent the best in their field, pushing athletes to be the best in and out of the
in the classroom, build competitive teams and achieve success.

National Coaches of the Year

First division
Kim Cupini, University of Tennessee
Kim Cupini was awarded the ACCR Division I National Coach of the Year,
after his first year as head coach at the University of Tennessee. Cupini led the
Lady Volunteers to their best appearance at the NCAA National Championship, finishing
third as a team and winning bronze medals in the varsity first and second eights. In the
in the playoffs, she and her team received the ACCR Region Three Coaching title.
of the year and staff of the year from the CRCA region. Cupini has also been recognized as the
Big 12 Coach of the Year. His leadership and coaching led to five student-athletes
being selected as CRCA All-Americans and first team All-American awards
for the Ladies Volunteers since 2003.

Section II
Courtney Moeller, Western Washington University
Courtney Moeller was named the 2024 Division II Coach of the Year. Just moeller
completed his ninth year as head assistant coach at Western Washington University
women’s rowing team, finishing the season with a first place team finish and a gold medal
in the Varsity 8+ at the 2024 NCAA National Championship. She helped lead WWU to
the NCAA Division II team title in 2017 and has already been recognized as a member of the
2017 Pocock/CRCA Division II Staff of the Year.

Section III
Lily Siddall, Tufts University
Lily Siddall is the Division III national coach of the year. Siddall completed his first year
as head coach of the Tufts women’s rowing team with a team title and first place
University 8+ finishes at the 2024 NCAA National Championship. 2024 marked both
program’s first NESCAC title and NCAA championship. Earlier this season, Siddall
has been recognized as NESCAC Coach of the Year, CRCA Division III New England Region Coach of the Year and CRCA New England Division III.
Regional Staff of the Year.

Lightweight
Mary Foster, Boston University
Mary Foster is co-recipient of the Lightweight Coach of the Year award, following a
remarkable season and first year at the helm of Boston University Lightweight
Rowing. Foster led the Terriers to a third-place team finish at the 2024 IRA National
Championship, as well as a 2x lightweight national championship and a silver medal
medal in lightweight 4+. She was selected as a co-recipient of the CRCA
Regional Lightweight Coach of the Year Award, and led his team to that honor
of the CRCA Lightweight Regional Staff of the Year award.

Paul Rassam, Princeton University
Paul Rassam is the co-recipient of the Lightweight Coach of the Year award, finishing
his 19th season at the helm of the Princeton Lightweight Women. The Tigers won
the title of IRA 2024 national champion and first place among women
Lightweight 8+. Rassam’s 1V8+ remains undefeated against light crews since
IRA Championship in 2019. He was selected as the 2024 CRCA Lightweight Regional
Coach of the Year.

National Staff of the Year

First division
University of Tennessee
Kim Cupini, head coach
Karly Braun, assistant coach
Colleen Gillis, assistant coach
MJ Keys, assistant coach
Violette Legrand, assistant coach
David Hall, assistant coach

Section II
Western Washington University
John Fuchs, head coach
Colleen Moeller, assistant coach
Damien Fisher, Head Strength and Conditioning Coach
Masa Migita, sports trainer

Section III
Tufts University
Lily Siddall, interim head coach
George Munger, Acting Director of Rowing
Tessa Cockerill, assistant coach
Brian Dawe, assistant coach
Ethan Maines, assistant coach
Julia Walters, assistant coach

Lightweight
Boston University
Mary Foster, head coach
Malcolm Doldron, Director of Women’s Rowing
Elizabeth Hughes, assistant coach