The University of Rochester Athletic Department is pleased to announce Serra Sevenler '15 as the new Director of Rowing and Women's Rowing Head Coach of her alma mater effective August 23, 2021. She takes over the program with over 15 years of experience in the sport and deep ties to the Rochester community.
Sevenler's appointment is announced by University of Rochester Executive Director of Athletics George VanderZwaag.
"Serra brings both great experience and a familiarity with our programs," says VanderZwaag. "As Director of Rowing, she will provide important leadership to both our men's and women's teams. As Head Coach of our women's team, we are excited to support her as she grows the success in our youngest varsity sport."
Sevenler takes over the rowing program from John Gaskin who announced his retirement earlier this month and will end his 12-year coaching career at Rochester, with the last eight being as Director of Rowing.
"I am honored to be selected as the Director of Rowing at the University of Rochester and grateful to George VanderZwaag for his full support and trust in me," Sevenler says. "I am looking forward to working with the incredible student-athletes on both teams and expanding the program's success in years ahead."
Sevenler during her time in a Yellowjacket uniform.
Sevenler has had a vast amount of coaching experience, most recently coming at Columbia University where she served as an Assistant Coach during the 2020-21 season.
Prior to her time at Columbia, Sevenler was the Women's Varsity Coach at RIT for two seasons in 2019 and 2020. Sevenler also was an assistant under Gaskin as the Men's Head Coach at Rochester for the 2017-18 campaign.
As an undergraduate at Rochester, Sevenler was team captain her junior and senior year along with being a member of the All-Liberty League team as a senior. During her sophomore season, she helped the Yellowjackets earn the Division III gold medal at the 75th Dad Vail Regatta in 2013.
"Rowing is an extremely physically demanding sport and when you are asked to get up at 5:30 A.M. as a college student, it isn't something that is easy for anyone. But if you're getting up to spend that time with a group of people that have your back and share your athletic ambitions, it is incredibly meaningful and makes it worth it," Sevenler says. "Being a student-athlete at the University of Rochester taught me valuable life skills and shaped me into the person I am today. I am excited to cultivate meaningful experiences for our current student-athletes."
Other experience that Sevenler brings to the Rochester program includes being Director of Rowing at the Genesee Rowing Club, Graduate Assistant Coach at the University of Buffalo, and Lead Junior Rowing Coach at the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club.
Sevenler earned a bachelor's degree from Rochester in 2015, double-majoring in Business and Digital Media Studies. She also earned a Master's degree in Higher Education Administration from the University of Buffalo in 2017.