University of Minnesota Athletics
Bruggeman Joins ‘U’ Staff as Assistant Coach
9/8/2021 12:24:00 PM | Rowing
MINNEAPOLIS – The Gopher Rowing program has added three-time All-American and eight-time USRowing National Team competitor Molly Bruggeman to the staff as an assistant coach for the upcoming season.
A native of Dayton, Ohio, Bruggeman most recently served as an alternate on the 2020 U.S. Olympic Team and previously competed on the international stage with gold medal performances at the 2018 World Rowing Championships, the 2015 Pan American Games and two wins at the 2014 World Rowing Under 23 Championships while adding a silver medal at the 2016 World Rowing Championships.
Additionally, Bruggeman has spent the last five years on the staff at USRowing including her current posting as a Level 2 Coaching Course Facilitator after starting with the organization as a Member Services Assistant. She began her coaching career as a Novice Rowing Coach for the Mercer Rowing Club in 2015.
"We saw Molly shine in the interview process. Her personal stories of triumph and perseverance as an elite athlete combined with her enthusiasm to mentor female athletes will continue to enhance and advance our team culture," Minnesota head coach Alicea Strodel said. "I'm excited to bring her energy and knowledge to the boathouse and to recruiting future Gophers."
As a collegiate rower, Bruggeman was a three-time CRCA Division I Pocock All-American at Notre Dame – earning First Team honors in 2011 and 2012 and Second Team accolades in 2014. She was also a three-time first team all-conference selection for the Fighting Irish in the Big East (2011 and 2013) and the ACC (2014). A three-time NCAA championships competitor, Bruggeman earned a bachelor's degree in anthropology with a supplemental major in pre-health from Notre Dame in 2014.
"I am thrilled to be joining the University of Minnesota coaching staff," Bruggeman said. "Coach Strodel and the coaching staff have an amazing vision for the future of the program, and I'm excited to get to know the team and to start working with the women of Gopher rowing. I've spent a lot of time on the other side of the megaphone, and I'm looking forward to contributing to the program."
A native of Dayton, Ohio, Bruggeman most recently served as an alternate on the 2020 U.S. Olympic Team and previously competed on the international stage with gold medal performances at the 2018 World Rowing Championships, the 2015 Pan American Games and two wins at the 2014 World Rowing Under 23 Championships while adding a silver medal at the 2016 World Rowing Championships.
Additionally, Bruggeman has spent the last five years on the staff at USRowing including her current posting as a Level 2 Coaching Course Facilitator after starting with the organization as a Member Services Assistant. She began her coaching career as a Novice Rowing Coach for the Mercer Rowing Club in 2015.
"We saw Molly shine in the interview process. Her personal stories of triumph and perseverance as an elite athlete combined with her enthusiasm to mentor female athletes will continue to enhance and advance our team culture," Minnesota head coach Alicea Strodel said. "I'm excited to bring her energy and knowledge to the boathouse and to recruiting future Gophers."
As a collegiate rower, Bruggeman was a three-time CRCA Division I Pocock All-American at Notre Dame – earning First Team honors in 2011 and 2012 and Second Team accolades in 2014. She was also a three-time first team all-conference selection for the Fighting Irish in the Big East (2011 and 2013) and the ACC (2014). A three-time NCAA championships competitor, Bruggeman earned a bachelor's degree in anthropology with a supplemental major in pre-health from Notre Dame in 2014.
"I am thrilled to be joining the University of Minnesota coaching staff," Bruggeman said. "Coach Strodel and the coaching staff have an amazing vision for the future of the program, and I'm excited to get to know the team and to start working with the women of Gopher rowing. I've spent a lot of time on the other side of the megaphone, and I'm looking forward to contributing to the program."
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