CHARLOTTESVILLE-Joel Furtek, the head women's rowing coach at the University of North Carolina the last five years, is returning to the University of Virginia women's rowing program as an assistant coach. Furtek was an assistant in the Virginia program for five years (1992-97) before leaving to start the women's rowing program at North Carolina in July of 1997.
In his first year as head coach, the Tar Heels finished the season at the NCAA Championships and earned a bronze medal in the varsity four. Since then, North Carolina's varsity eight crew has regularly appeared in the national top 25.
"I'm very excited that Joel is returning to the University of Virginia," UVa head coach Kevin Sauer said. "His novice crews were the backbone of very successful years for us in 1998, 1999 and 2000. The head coaching experience he's gained at North Carolina will be invaluable to us as we strive to improve our national standing and reach our goal of bringing a national championship to Virginia."
Furtek will be responsible for program operations and will assist with the varsity coaching at UVa. He was an assistant varsity coach at Virginia during the 1992-93 season before taking over the novice program in 1993.
"I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to return to Virginia, where I learned so much and have many fond memories," Furtek said. "The five years I spent at North Carolina have allowed me to mature as a coach and a person, and I'm excited to begin applying all of those lessons with the Cavalier crew.
"My respect for the Virginia program and the University are matched only by my respect for Kevin Sauer. I will do my very best to continue the growth in speed and stature of the rowing program at Virginia."
A native of Utica, N.Y., Furtek earned his bachelor's degree in history from Yale in 1990. A four-year member of the Yale crew and a two-year letterman, he was the coxswain for the Bulldogs' lightweight crew that went undefeated on its way to the 1990 national collegiate rowing championship and competed at the prestigious Henley Royal Regatta in England. In his senior year, he was awarded the Henry Babcock Award for outstanding spirit. Furtek also coxed at the Kelly Challenge in Mandelieu, France, and at the United States National Team selection camp in 1993.
After graduating from Yale, he spent two years working for the Central Intelligence Agency before coming to Virginia.
Furtek begins work at Virginia on July 1. He replaces Katie Scanlon who left the UVa program after the 2001-02 season. Scanlon coached the Cavaliers' varsity four crew to a second place finish at the 2002 NCAA Women's Rowing Championships.