HANOVER, N.H. -- Steve Perry, men's freshman and assistant varsity lightweight coach at Navy for the past three seasons, has been named the men's varsity lightweight head coach at Dartmouth, according to an announcement made today by Director of Athletics Josie Harper.
Perry was instrumental in the turnaround of the lightweight rowing program at Navy, producing the first Navy freshman lightweight rowing championship team in 20 years. Over the past three seasons, his freshman crews posted a combined 33-1 record, including wins over Harvard, Yale and Princeton. At the EARC (Eastern Association of Rowing Coaches) Sprints in 2005, his first freshman and second freshman crews both won gold medals. During the 2004 Eastern Sprints, his first freshman captured silver and his second freshman struck gold. In his first season with Navy at the Sprints in 2003, both of his eights won gold medals.
Prior to his stint with the Midshipmen, Perry spent one year at Penn as the men's freshman lightweight coach. His freshman crews provided the program with its first winning season in 10 years. His first boat compiled a 5-2 regular season record and placed sixth at the Eastern Sprints, while his second freshman crew went 4-3 during the season and finished fifth at the Sprints.
Perry's first coaching job came at his alma mater, Rutgers, where he was the men's freshman lightweight coach during the 2000 and 2001 seasons. A four-year oarsman from 1995-1999, Perry rowed in the first varsity boat for three years and was the most valuable oarsman as a junior and a senior. The captain and stroke of the 1999 team, Perry helped Rutgers claim the silver medal at the 1999 IRA (Intercollegiate Rowing Association) Collegiate National Championship.
An economics major with a minor in history, Perry earned his degree from Rutgers in 2001. He replaces Dick Grossman, who retired after 30 years with the Dartmouth lightweight program.