Sept. 18, 2006
ORLANDO - UCF rowing head coach Leeanne Crain announced on Monday that Andy Derrick has joined the Golden Knights' staff as an assistant coach. A former standout rower at the University of Washington, Derrick comes to UCF after working for Pocock Racing shells.
"I am thrilled that Andy will be joining our staff. He brings a great deal of enthusiasm and experience to the position," said Crain. "Andy knows what it takes to be competitive at the highest level of collegiate rowing from his days at Washington and will be able to relate those experiences to our student-athletes."
As a junior and senior at Washington, Derrick sat bow for the Huskies varsity boat and helped his team capture Pacific-10 Conference titles and a pair of second-place IRA finishes. Following his junior year, Washington traveled to England to participate in the prestigious Henley Royal Regatta. Derrick and the Huskies won the event.
Overall, Derrick finished his collegiate career with a 202 and 11 record. He earned All-Pac-10 honors as a senior and was named to the league's all-academic team three times.
He graduated from Washington in 2004 with bachelor's degree in history.
After his sophomore year, he teamed with his roommate to row the straight pair and captured two USRowing national titles. He also represented the United States twice and in 2001, his boat won a silver medal in the 8+ at the U-23 World Championships.
In addition to working for Pocock Racing shells, he started a new company, First Boat. The company partners with Pocock and specializes in refurbished boat sales.
"I am ecstatic to rejoin the competitive side of the sport and am anxious to continue the success UCF has enjoyed," he said. "I plan to make every season better than the last until we reach the top."
The Golden Knights are coming off of a strong 2006 campaign. The team broke into the USRowing/Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association Varsity Eight poll for the first time and was ranked as high as 19th. UCF captured fourth place at the Aramark South/Central Sprints and the lightweight eight finished fifth at the IRA Championship.
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