MARIETTA, Ohio — Marietta College head men's rowing coach
Greg Myhr announced the promotion of
Brooks Spires to associate head coach. Spires has been the Pioneers' lead assistant coach for the last five years and, according to Myhr, the promotion is long overdue.
"Coach Spires is embarking on his ninth year with Marietta Rowing, and his fifth behind the megaphone," said Myhr. "As a two-year captain for the Pioneers, Brooks was an outstanding leader of the team. As a coach, he has worked tirelessly to elevate every part of our game, from recruiting to academic excellence to player development."
Spires not only has helped facilitate skill development of the rowers; he also helps advise them on their academic needs. He serves as the recruiting coordinator and has been a driving force behind the increased roster size since taking over as the main assistant coach in 2022.
Spires has been an integral part of the recent success of the program. He helped coach the 2V 8+ boat to the gold medal at the Dad Vail Regatta held this last May in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. He also helped guide the Pioneers to receive an automatic qualifying bid to the IRA Championships where, for the first time in program history, the Pioneers sent a full team to participate in the varsity eight competition.
As a collegiate athlete, Spires was a four-year letter winner for the Pioneers from 2016 to 2020. During his stellar career, he cited the most memorable moment as when the Pioneers placed third in the 2017 Southern Intercollegiate Rowing Association Championship, defeating such programs as Purdue, Florida, and Vanderbilt.
A native of Sebastian, Florida, Spires got his bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Marietta College in 2020.
"There is no question in my mind that the success we are enjoying is due in large part to Coach Spires' devotion to the athletes and to the team," concluded Myhr.
Fans can follow the Pioneers all season long at pioneers.marietta.edu. You can also follow the Pioneers on Facebook at facebook.com/MariettaCollege and @MariettaPioneer on X and Instagram.
