Saathoff Promoted to Novice Coach; Gilbert Joins Hurricane Rowing Coaching Staff
Sept. 7, 2004
Coral Gables, Fla. – The University of Miami along with head rowing coach Debra Morgan have announced the promotion of Andrea Saathoff to head novice coach and the addition of Mike Gilbert to assistant varsity coach.
Saathoff enters her second season on the Miami coaching staff after a season as UM’s rowing coordinator. Saathoff’s primary coaching responsibilities include building the foundation of the Miami rowing team by working with the UM novice crews comprised mainly of freshman and walk-ons.
Prior to coaching to Miami, Saathoff was the women’s novice coach at Boston University, a Division I program in the Eastern Sprints League, from 2001-03.
Saathoff brings a wealth of knowledge to the Hurricane coaching staff mainly due to her own success as a rower. In 2000, she lived and trained at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, Calif. while competing for a spot on the U.S. Olympic Team. Although she did not make the 2000 Olympic Team she was named to the U.S. National Team that competed at the 2000 World Championships in Zagreb, Croatia.
She also competed on the U.S. Under-23 team throughout her career bringing in a number of accolades including a bronze medal as a member of the U.S. 4- squad in 1999 in Hamburg, Germany, a first place finish in the petite finals in 1998 in Ioannina, Greece with the women’s 2- crew as well as competing with the 4- crew in Milan, Italy in 1997. Saathoff was also selected to compete with the 2- in 1995 as a member of the U.S. Junior National Team.
Saathoff attended the University of Virginia, earning her bachelor’s degree in Psychology in 1999. As a rower at UVa under the guidance of head coach Kevin Sauer, Saathoff helped lead Virginia to national prominence while competing at the NCAA Championships in each of her four seasons. During her senior campaign, the Cavilers finished second overall at the NCAA Championships behind a second place finish by the Varsity 8+. She was tabbed an All-American as senior and was named the team captain and team MVP, also earning ACC Academic Honors.
Saathoff is a part-time graduate student at the University of Miami, working towards her master’s in Mental Health Counseling in the School of Education.
“Andrea is one of the more talented coaches that I have worked with,” said head coach Debra Morgan. “She really understands coaching on all levels, from people skills, to the technical side of rowing, to the physiology and psychology of training. Our novices are going to have a phenomenal year with her.”
Joining the staff for his first season as assistant varsity coach is Mike Gilbert.
Prior to joining Miami, Gilbert served as Head Coach of Hamilton College before being named Junior Women’s Varsity Coach at the Saratoga Rowing Association. While at Hamilton, Gilbert led his team to a 2003 best team finish at the New York State Championship, a 2004 UCAA Championship women’s varsity 4+ and a second place finish in women’s varsity 4+ petite final at the ECAC Championships.
Gilbert was also the Competitive Women’s Head Coach for Community Rowing Inc., in Boston, Mass. where in 2001 he led his women’s open 8+ to a second place finish in the Women’s Henley Regatta and a USRowing Nationals Women’s Overall Points Trophy. Gilbert began his coaching career as the Women’s Varsity Coach at the University of Vermont where he rowed on the men’s team for four years.
Since rowing at the elite level, Gilbert continued to race, winning medals at the 1999 and 2000 USRowing Master’s Nationals. In 1995, Gilbert participated in the Lightweight Development Program at the Riverside Boat Club which culminated in a silver medal in the elite men’s lightweight 4+ at the USRowing National Championships.
Gilbert received a bachelor’s of science degree in biological science in 1992 from the University of Vermont. He is a USRowing Level II certified coach. Not to be limited to rowing, Gilbert is certified as a Strength and Conditioning Coach and a Personal Trainer by the National Strength and Conditioning Association. He is also a United States Ski and Snowboard Association Level IV Alpine Ski Coach.
“I could not be happier with the hiring of Mike Gilbert,” commented coach Morgan. “He’s go the experience, he’s got the knowledge and he’s got the drive. The addition of Gilbert to our staff makes us a lot more powerful in all aspects of the program.”
