DAYTON, Ohio – The University of Dayton has announced that Michael Wenker as the new head women’s rowing coach.

Prior to his arrival at UD, Wenker served as an assistant coach for two seasons at the West Virginia University. He will be responsible for the oversight of the entire Flyer women’s rowing program.

"I am very excited to be a part of such a great institution and community at the University of Dayton," Wenker said. "When I set foot on campus, I knew this was a place where I wanted to be, and a place where I wanted to teach and coach the sport of rowing. Dayton has the potential to be successful at the highest levels of rowing and I am extremely honored to be given this opportunity to lead the Flyer program in that direction.”

Wenker is the fifth head coach in the program's history since being moved to varsity status.
 
A native of Cincinnati, Wenker previously served as assistant coach for the men’s and women’s rowing programs at Hamilton College in Clinton, N.Y. There, he assisted with all aspects of the program, including recruiting and the supervision of transportation to all practices and races.

Wenker acted as the varsity women’s coach for the Cincinnati Junior Rowing Club from 2000-07, after working with the novice squad in 2000. As head coach, Wenker led the team to three gold medals at the USRowing Youth Invitational from 2002-03 and 35 gold medals at the Midwest Junior Rowing Championships from 2000-07.

In 2006, Wenker was an assistant coach at the USRowing Junior Women’s Development Camp, in New London, Conn., where his job was to assist with boat selection, consult the head coaches and to run practices.

"Michael has done a great job as an assistant and we’re excited to have him lead our program," Senior Associate Athletics Director Mike Kelly said. "With his knowledge of working with student-athletes, he provides an easy transition. Michael does an excellent job coaching our sport and we look forward to seeing the program continue to progress. He is well-known in regional rowing circles and comes to us highly recommended."

After graduating college, Wenker severed as assistant coach of the Saratoga Rowing Association, where he instructed new athletes in the fundamentals of rowing. He completed his Bachelor’s degree in economics from Skidmore College in 1998.

With the Flyers, Wenker will be actively involved in designing and implementing training programs, organizing and running practices, on the water safety, maintaining boats and equipment and assisting with annual fundraising campaigns.

The Flyers’ first regatta of the season will take place on Oct. 16 in Columbus, Ohio at Speakmon Memorial Regatta.