ALBANY, N.Y. – The University at Albany, President Havidán Rodríguez, and Director of Athletics Mark Benson have announced the hiring of Chris Chase as the inaugural head coach of UAlbany's new women's rowing program.
 
"I'm extremely honored and excited to be entrusted with the opportunity to help establish the women's rowing team at the University at Albany," said Chase.  "Thank you to President Havidán Rodríguez, Athletic Director Mark Benson, and the search committee for the chance to be a part of their incredible Athletic Department.  As a lifelong Capital District resident, and a member of the New York rowing community that has been waiting for over three decades for the dream to become a reality, I cannot wait to begin working with the student-athletes to build the foundation of an amazing culture, fast boats on the Hudson River, and most importantly, a place to assist the forming of strong women.  I also look forward to engaging with the hundreds of rowers who took their first strokes as members of the Student Club over so many years.  The chance to grow rowing in our community is a blessing."
 
Chase comes to UAlbany with nearly three decades of experience as a coach and program architect in the sport of rowing.  Since 2019, Chase has served as the Director of Junior and Masters Rowing and Safety for the United States Rowing Association.  The creator of the American Development Model for the sport, Chase oversaw the development and training of the U19 National Team, as well as Masters and Olympic Development programs.
 
"We are delighted to welcome Chris Chase as the first head coach of UAlbany's women's rowing program," said Rodríguez. "From the start of his career to the present, Chris has been educating and developing student athletes into leaders. We know he will fit right in among our dedicated and accomplished Athletics coaching staff and we look forward to seeing the first Great Dane rowers join the program and compete in the years ahead."
 
Importantly, Chase has experience in building a new program from the ground up.  In 1996, Chase founded the Saratoga Rowing Association, and served as its Co-Director until 2019.  Under his guidance, the Saratoga Rowing Association grew into one of the largest clubs in the country, and his competitors have won 36 gold medals at National Championship events over the years.  Additionally, more than 200 of Chase's rowers from the Saratoga Rowing Association have earned opportunities to continue their careers at the Division I level.
 
"Chris Chase stood out to us not only because of his experience as a rowing coach, but because of his background in establishing and building a program from the ground up that has grown into one of the most competitive in the country," said Benson.  "We are confident Chris can do the same for our rowing program, and we stand ready to provide him the support he needs to make UAlbany women's rowing a contender on the local, regional, and national stages."
 
Chase's time with the Saratoga Rowing Association also featured coaching opportunities at three Junior World Championship events.  His men's coxed four placed sixth in 2017 in Trakai, Lithuania, second in 2018 in Racice, Czech Republic, and eighth in 2019 in Tokyo, Japan.
 
In addition to coaching and program development, Chase has organized and managed more than 150 regattas in Saratoga, including state and national championship events, providing the Great Danes with an experience regatta director for when it hosts its own competitions.
 
Chase's immediate focus will be to select his coaching staff and to begin recruiting the first class of UAlbany rowers.  The Great Danes' anticipated debut season of competition will take place during the 2024-25 academic year.
 
What They're Saying About Chris Chase
 
Sandy Armstrong, Executive Director at Marin Rowing
"I can think of no better person than Chris Chase to take on the lead as head coach of this new program at UAlbany.  Chris' passion and knowledge of the sport matches his integrity and work-ethic.  Having worked with Chris for well-over a decade to develop, support, educate, and manage athletes and coaches at all levels, he is the perfect fit to help the UAlbany program, and its new athletes, thrive from the onset on the strong foundation which he can build."
 
Rich Cacioppo, Executive Director of USRowing
"Chris has been a transformational figure for both American rowing and for the thousands of athletes he's served over the past three decades.  His contributions while at USRowing will benefit our sport for years to come, I look forward to partnering with him in the future, and the Great Danes are incredibly lucky to have him at the helm as they bring collegiate women's rowing to Albany."
 
UAlbany is a member of the America East Conference in 16 of 18 varsity sports while women's golf is an associate member of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference.  The University's football team, a Division I Football Championship Subdivision program, is an associate member of the Coastal Athletic Association.  Women's rowing's conference affiliation will be announced at a later date.
 
UAlbany has earned the Stuart P. Haskell Jr. Commissioner's Cup, which honors the America East's top-performing athletics department, eight times overall, including six-straight years from 2013-2018, and most recently in 2021-22. The Great Danes have not finished lower than second in the Commissioner's Cup standings since the 2009-10 season.  UAlbany has won 128 conference championships and has made 60 NCAA Tournament appearances since moving to Division I in 1999.