ALBANY, N.Y. – University at Albany Head Rowing Coach Kim Chavers announced a series of additions to the Great Danes' coaching staff ahead of the upcoming season, welcoming Drayton Piper, Cody Rule and former UAlbany rower Emma Maturo to the program.
 
"We are incredibly excited to welcome Drayton, Cody and Emma to our coaching staff," said Coach Chavers. "Each brings a unique set of experiences and strengths that will make our program better, from championship-level coaching and recruiting experience to a deep understanding of our local rowing community. In Emma's case, she also brings firsthand experience building UAlbany Rowing from the ground up. As we continue to establish our program and compete at a higher level in the CAA, adding coaches who are committed to athlete development, recruiting and building a strong team culture is incredibly important. I'm confident this group will have a tremendous impact on our student-athletes and the future of UAlbany Rowing."
 
Piper joins the Great Danes after most recently serving as a men's and women's varsity assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. During his time with the Eagles, he helped the program capture its first NCAA Division II National Championship, including a first-place finish in the Varsity 8+. Piper previously coached at SA Rowing Club and Georgia Tech Club Rowing and gained additional experience through the USRowing Olympic Development Program. He holds a USRowing Level 2 Coaching Certification and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Marietta College in 2022.
 
Rule brings more than 15 years of collegiate coaching experience to UAlbany, including a decade as the head coach at Schenectady County Community College from 2009–19. During his tenure, he oversaw all aspects of the women's rowing program, including training, race preparation, athlete development, scheduling, travel, compliance, and budget management. Rule most recently served as a varsity coach with Union College Crew, helping coach the men's program to several Liberty League medal-winning performances while placing multiple novice athletes on the conference's "Boat of the Week" award platforms. On the women's side, he helped the program earn back-to-back medal performances at the Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta. A Schenectady native, Rule holds a USRowing Level 1 Coaching Certificate.
 
Maturo returns to UAlbany after competing for the Great Danes during the program's first two seasons. In 2026, she earned CAA All-Conference honors while competing in the bow seat of the Varsity 8+, helping UAlbany to fifth place finishes at the CAA Championship and New York State Collegiate Championships and a sixth-place finish at the Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta. During the fall season, she helped the Great Danes finish first in the Collegiate 8+ at the Mohawk Fall Classic. A member of UAlbany's inaugural rowing season in 2024–25, Maturo was named to the 2025 FSN Spring Watch List and helped the Great Danes' Varsity 4+ to a first-place finish in the Petite Final at the Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta, a second-place finish at the Novak Memorial Metropolitan Championships, and a third-place finish in the Grand Final of the New York State Collegiate Championships. Maturo began her coaching career with ARC Masters in 2025 before joining BH Juniors in 2026.
 
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