Feb. 12, 2008
Orlando, FL (www.UCFAthletics.com) - Leeanne Crain, UCF's head women's rowing coach since 2003-04, has resigned from her post today, to accept a head coach position with the University of Oklahoma.
"We would like to thank Coach (Leeanne) Crain for her tireless work over the past five seasons which culminated in last year's appearance in the NCAA Championship finals," said Keith Tribble, UCF Director of Athletics and Executive Vice President. "It is bittersweet to say goodbye to a good head coach, but we now have a women's rowing program regarded as one of the sport's finest.
"With our brand-new UCF Intercollegiate Rowing Center on Lake Pickett scheduled to open this year, we are confident this program will attract a wide array of head coaching interest from around the profession."
Crain led UCF to its best season in 2006-07, highlighted by her nationally-ranked varsity eight crew. The V8 collected nine consecutive victories to open the year and went on to qualify for an at-large berth to the NCAA Championship, where the boat took home a fourth-place showing in the third final. UCF was ranked as high as No. 9 nationally last season. UCF received its first national ranking ever, the season before, while UCF rowers routinely now appear on postseason All-America and Scholastic honors lists.
A search for the new UCF women's rowing head coach will begin immediately. Assistant Coach Becky Frost will serve as interim head coach for the 2008 spring race season.
--UCFAA--