Sammie Pavlov ’20
Contributing Writer
This summer Smith College announced that Clare Doyle M.S., ’17 will be the new head coach of the rowing team for the upcoming 2017-2018 season. Doyle follows the footsteps of former head rowing coach Karen Klinger ’84, who retired after 20 years of coaching the Pioneers.
While earning her Master of Science and Exercise Sports Studies, Doyle was the head coach of the novice rowing team and assistant varsity rowing coach for the Pioneers, working alongside Klinger.
“I am very lucky to follow Karen,” Doyle said. “I was able to learn from someone who has a technical eye and built a significant program with a long and successful history. She set the program up so that I can jump right in and get moving.”
Aside from coaching, Doyle herself was a force on the water during her time as a varsity rower at Wesleyan University from 2010-2014. Doyle was an impactful member of the Cardinals’ growing program.
With her help, the team made an appearance in the NCAA championship. During her time as co-captain, and as a two-year NESCAC All-Conference selection, Doyle found her love for the high level of both academics and athletics that Division III has to offer.
Before coming to Smith, Doyle was a volunteer women’s rowing coach at the George Washington University. Adding to Doyle’s coaching experience, she has spent the last two summers working for the Under 19 United States Junior National Rowing Team, where she worked with the operations coordinator and helped to develop high performance camps. This past summer, Doyle was an assistant to the U19 team that made it to the World Championships.
“Working with these two diverse groups has helped to form my coaching philosophy,” Doyle said.
Doyle spoke a bit on short- and long-term goals for the team. She wants to improve the team’s standing in the NEWMAC and have full growth on all boats. The team will be working on developing team culture and forming a transparent framework for the upcoming spring season.
In terms future, Doyle wants Smith rowing to be a top-ranked program that goes on to win a national title.
Until the Pioneers can clinch these ambitious goals, Doyle anticipates that the team will have major fitness strides in the weight room that will translate directly to the water.
As the rowing team begins their off-season preparation, Doyle said the most vital aspects to the team’s success are to “be positive, row hard, and have fun!”
