MARIETTA, Ohio – Marietta College Director of Athletics Larry Hiser announced the hiring of Brad Hemmerly as the Pioneers' head women's rowing coach Thursday (July 25) afternoon. Hemmerly replaces Kelly Harris, who resigned this spring after six years at the helm of the women's rowing program.
"Brad brings National Championship experience to Marietta College," Hiser said. "He has been successful both as a student-athlete and as a coach and is the ideal person to lead our women's rowing program to the next level."
Hemmerly brings a wide range of successful experience to the Pioneers. He spent the last two years at Syracuse University as the assistant varsity coach and director of operations with the men's team. Hemmerly helped the Orange to a fifth place showing at the 2012 IRA Championships, their best finish in 22 years.
"I am very excited to be chosen to lead a program with a rowing history as rich as Marietta College," Hemmerly said. "I look forward to working with the athletes, alumni, athletic department, and Marietta College as we pursue our common goal of Dad Vail and NCAA Championships together. The program has made great progress towards these goals the past few years. I am honored to be helping guide it the rest of the way."
This summer Hemmerly is coaching the U23 Men at the Vesper Boat Club in Philadelphia. Vesper claimed the Independence Day Regatta team points trophy as well as the men's points, women's points and the overall points trophies at USRowing Club Nationals. Hemmerly will be leading the Vesper U23 men at the Canadian Henley in Ontario in August.
Prior to Syracuse Hemmerly spent three years at NCAA Division III powerhouse Williams College, winners of the last eight NCAA Women's Rowing Championships.
Hemmerly was the assistant women's coach at Williams in 2009 and 2010. In addition to the NCAA titles, the Ephs swept the women's events at the New England Championships both years.
In the summer of 2010 Hemmerly was named the interim head coach for the 2010-11 school year. Under Hemmerly's direction, the Ephs posted one of the best seasons in school history going undefeated in every event that spring in all classifications (1V, 2V, 3V and N8).
Williams swept the New England, ECAC and NCAA championships in 2011 and Hemmerly was named the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) co-coach of the year and was also awarded the Joy of Sculling Award as the women's college coach of the year.
Hemmerly began his coaching career in 2005 as the first assistant and novice coach with The Ohio State University women's club team. He spent three years coaching the Buckeyes, winning the 2007 Dad Vail women's points trophy and the 2008 ACRA V8 National Championship and ACRA women's points trophy.
In addition to his collegiate coaching experience, Hemmerly has served as a Masters coach with the Syracuse Chargers and Cazenovia Rowing Club, as well as the New Haven Rowing Club. He also worked as an assistant coach with the U.S. Junior Women's National Team Development Camp during the summers of 2010 and 2011.
A four-year member of The Ohio State University men's club team, Hemmerly earned a Bachelor's of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering in 2007.
