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Frank Biller/Virginia
Coach of UVA’s men’s program, building a team very much on the rise. In three years team has grown from 20-80 rowers. Won gold in the 2nd varsity 8/bronze in the 1st novice 8+ at Dad Vails- first medals there since 1992. Won ACRAs, Named ACRA Coach of the Year. Made it to the Semis of Temple Challenge at Henley.
<p>Blueiguana, I voted for him and he is leading in the poll right now (so it would be great if more people would vote). Unlike these other nominated coaches and programs, men’s rowing is a club sport at UVa ,not varsity like the others. Rowing/crew was one of the men’s sports,like men’s volleyball also, that was impacted years ago by Title IX at many schools. For a club coach to be nominated like this is pretty great. My son was asked to tryout for rowing when he was a 1st year in 2005 but did not think the time commitment involved would work with engineering (a couple of the club members and the then coach saw him at the student activities fair and asked him to tryout because he is 6’6" and had played varsity basketball and volleyball-they really want tall, athletics guys and will take on kids even with no prior experience). He was told they are out there by 6am practicing many days a week-it is a big commitment for a club team and I think the guys that put in those kind of hours ,without benefit of varsity status , deserve alot of credit. Good luck to Coach Biller! I hope he wins.</p>
<p>Thanks for your input sevmom. A friend who is now a second year is on the team and like your son had no prior experience, but boy does he work long, hard hours. I too hope Coach Biller gets the recognition he deserves for bringing this team so far. A shout out to Dean Groves who posted this on his twitter and brought it to my attention!! :)</p>
<p>I remember my son telling me what long hours they practice(he really did briefly consider doing it but just decided the time commitment was too great) and also that the club men had to pay dues and fundraise (unlike the varsity women). Do you know if the men still have to pay dues and fundraise these days,blueiguana? It really does seem like this new coach is really moving the men’s team forward. That is great and these kids work very hard!
Voting only takes a second so let’s hope more people will vote!</p>
<p>I remember my son also telling me they were telling him what a tight group of guys they were, how much fun they have,lots of them had a house together,etc. He actually would have probably tried out for club volleyball before rowing if he had decided he felt he had the time to do a club sport. It was funny about rowing though-he called one day,very confused, and said these rowing guys keep asking him to tryout ,what should he do??? I think it would have been fun but really would have been a big commitment. Hope your friend is enjoying the team,blueiguana, and that they have great success this year!</p>