USRowing has named John Parker head coach of the lightweight national team, Executive Director Glenn Merry announced on Wednesday. Parker, a 1992 Olympian and four-time national team member, will oversee both the men's and women's lightweight programs.
Parker joined USRowing's coaching staff as a men's assistant coach in June of 2007, overseeing the lightweights. He served as a volunteer assistant coach in 2005 and 2006, working with the lightweight men's four, and as an assistant men's coach in 1998 and 1999, leading the pair with coxswain to a world title in 1999 and assisting with the men's eight that won back-to-back world championships. A 1989 graduate of Princeton University, Parker served as men's lightweight coach at Rutgers University prior to joining USRowing's staff on a full-time basis. His coaching resume also includes stops at the University of Washington, Columbia University and Princeton University.
"During the past two years, the relationships and connections that John has advanced with lightweight clubs and programs have begun to grow the athlete pool," Merry said. "We need to continue this work, and John is the person to do it. His coaching skills are top-notch, with a proven record of making the connections needed to work with all programs."
"I appreciate the opportunity that Glenn Merry and USRowing has offered me and look forward to working with athletes, coaches, colleges and clubs to create a system for all lightweights, from the development level to the elite level, that improves our international performance," Parker said.