GENEVA, N.Y.-Hobart and William Smith Colleges Associate Vice President and Director of Athletics and Recreation Deb Steward announced that Paul Bugenhagen will serve as the head coach of the Hobart and William Smith rowing teams. In addition to his current role as head coach of the Statesmen, he will now take the reins of the Herons' program. Bugenhagen enters his 10th year at the Colleges.
 
He replaces Sandra Chu, who retired after 18 years with the Herons.
 
"Throughout the process of evaluating our rowing staff structure, Coach Bugenhagen expressed his enthusiasm for building on Coach Chu's great work with our Heron team," Steward said. "His drive for success and belief that our women can be perennial NCAA contenders, his commitment to the student-athlete experience and his ability to build relationships with alums and parents made him the ideal choice for serving in this role."
 
Bugenhagen was named the head coach of the Statesmen rowing team prior to the start of the 2011-12 season. Under his watchful eye, Hobart has won eight Liberty League titles, extending its streak to 14 straight conference crowns. The Statesmen have finished on the podium 21 times at the National Invitational Rowing Championships, including 10 gold medals. Bugenhagen's crews have competed at the Intercollegiate Rowing Association National Championships five times.
 
"Paul has been a transformative coach for Hobart rowing since his arrival, and I know he will bring his success and talent to elevate both programs to the national level," said Michael Hoepp '05, a two-time Liberty League Crew of the Year oarsman for the Statesmen and a former assistant coach at Hobart. "He is an incredible mentor and educator, as evidenced by the team's success on the water, in the classroom, and out in the community, and we are so fortunate to have him at HWS. I join my fellow alumni and alumnae to wish him all the best in his new position."
 
The 2014 Joy of Sculling Coach of the Year, Bugenhagen's athletes have excelled on and off the water. He has mentored 26 All-Liberty League selections, eight Liberty League Crews of the Year, and three U.S. National Team members. In the classroom, the Statesmen have collected 65 Liberty League All-Academic awards, 36 NIRC All-Academic selections and 20 IRA All-Academic team picks. Bugenhagen and his assistants have been named the Liberty League Coaching Staff of the Year five times.
 
"From speaking with Paul, I'm excited and hopeful about his vision of carrying out the legacy that Sandra has built over the last 18 years," said Libby Hughes '14, a two-time Liberty League Crew of the Year oarswoman for the Herons and a former assistant coach at William Smith. "It shows his determination to provide the student-athletes with an experience that helps them feel empowered, supported and challenged in ways they can be proud of."
 
Bugenhagen inherits a William Smith squad that returns 19 members from last year's team, including five from the varsity eight. The Herons won bronze medals in the varsity eight and second varsity eight at the Head of the Genesee regatta to open the season. William Smith also competed at the Head of the Fish in the pandemic shortened season.
 
"First, I want to congratulate, Sandra on her wonderful career," Bugenhagen said. "She inspired and impacted 18 years of Heron rowers and coxswains. She built a great program here and I wish her the very best in retirement.
 
"It's a privilege to become the next head coach of William Smith rowing and I'm very excited to lead the team! There is big potential in this program just like there was in the Hobart rowing program when I became their head coach nine years ago. I'm looking forward to working with these women day in and day out as we create the next era of Heron rowing greatness together! Having been at HWS for several years now, I know how deep the support for rowing is and how good our leadership is with Deb Steward, Brian Miller and Robb Flowers. They're exceptional partners and their advocacy and energy have been key in building championship rowing programs out of Hellstrom Boathouse. I also know I'm part of something special here and I appreciate President Jacobsen's confidence in supporting my appointment. There's a lot of work to do and I can't wait to get started!"
 
Chu, who announced her retirement from coaching earlier this summer, mentored 26 CRCA All-Americans, including 13 first team selections, while guiding William Smith to six NCAA Championship bids as a team and two as an at-large eight. Academically, her Herons earned 174 Liberty League Academic awards, 68 CRCA Scholar-Athlete awards and three CoSIDA Academic All-America® awards.