University of Minnesota Athletics
WENDY DAVIS NAMED HEAD ROWING COACH
4/25/2000 12:00:00 AM | Athletics
Davis, 42, brings an exceptional coaching resume to the new Minnesota program, as well as a wealth of experience coaching members of the U.S. National Team. After collegiate coaching stints at Stanford and Yale, Davis has spent the last three years coaching national team members in preparation for the 2000 Olympic Games.
"I am very much looking forward to the challenge of making the University of Minnesota a national power in women's rowing," said Davis. "While rowing is new to the Big Ten and the NCAA, it is well-established on both coasts, where I spent 18 years coaching winning programs.
"I am pleased that, beginning today, I can bring my experience and knowledge to Minnesota," Davis adds. "I am proud to be the newest member of such a quality women's athletics department and commit the rowing program to excellence on the water, in the classroom and in the community."
"Wendy brings to Minnesota a wonderful set of credentials, including the technical skills, a proven record and a passion for excellence, that will undoubtedly jump-start our rowing program," said Voelz. "We can't wait for her to begin. She is simply a find!"
Prior to accepting the position at Minnesota, Davis directed all aspects of training for U.S. National Team members Cindy Brooks and Emily Dirksen. Brooks was the 1999 national women's double sculls champion and represented the U.S. at the World Rowing Championships in Canada, in the summer of 1999. Dirksen, a member of the U.S. fours in 1998, is training for the Olympic Trials in June. Davis was a member of the Women's Olympic Rowing Committee in 1997.
Davis was the head coach at Yale from 1993-97, leading the Bulldog women's team to a top-five national ranking in each of her four years with the program. Her squad finished fifth at the first NCAA Rowing Championships in 1997, while her varsity eight placed second at the Collegiate National Championships in 1994. More than 80 rowers per year competed in the Yale program during Davis' reign as head coach.
Davis spent 10 years at Stanford. She was the women's novice coach from 1983-1991, before being promoted and serving as the head women's rowing coach from 1991-93. Guiding a program with more than 65 rowers, Davis led the Cardinal to a second-place varsity eight finish at the Pacific Coast Championships in 1992 and a fourth- place showing in 1993. Her 1988 novice team holds the distinction of being the only Cardinal squad to accomplish an undefeated season in the 60-plus year history, both men and women, of Stanford rowing.
Davis competed in collegiate rowing at UCLA, earning team MVP honors in 1982. During her career, she was a member of the Bruin women's four that placed second at the Collegiate National Championships in 1981 and sixth in 1980. Davis graduated from UCLA in 1982 with a bachelor's degree in Spanish and Linguistics, then began her coaching career as the Bruins' women's novice coach in the 1982-83 season.
Davis and her husband, John, have two children: John (10) and William (5).
Women's rowing became an NCAA championship sport in 1997. The Big Ten Conference added women's rowing as its 25th championship sport (13th for women) this year. The first Big Ten Championships will be Saturday, April 29, at Lake Wingra in Madison, Wis. Next year Minnesota will join six other Big Ten schools that sponsor women's rowing: Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State and Wisconsin.
