Andy Derrick joined the Knights[apos] staff as an assistant coach in the fall of 2006. Originally serving as coach of the lightweights, he is currently responsible for guiding the novice squad.
While at the helm of the varsity lightweight squad, the team achieved a season high ranking of fifth in the nation, which led the team to its highest ranking in school history. On the way, UCF amassed victories over Jacksonville (open), Lehigh (lwt), Loyola Marymount (lwt), MIT (lwt), and Villanova (open).
Derrick and the UCF novice squad have also managed victories over schools such as Alabama, Clemson, Louisville and Tennessee, while capping of its fall season by placing second out of 16 teams at the 2007 Head of the Hooch.
Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, Derrick is an experienced rower who started his career at St. Xavier High School and The Cincinnati Jr. Rowing Club where he earned a USRowing National Championship in 1999 and a runner-up finish in 2000 in the varsity 8+. During his junior year, he was named to the United States Junior National Team which finished seventh at the World Championships.
Derrick earned a scholarship to attend the University of Washington, where he helped lead the Huskies to both a Pac-10 title and an Intercollegiate Rowing Association National Championship his freshman season. During Derrick[apos]s sophomore year, UW finished second in the Pac-10 and third nationally. That summer Derrick trained and raced with a fellow Washington oarsman in the straight pair and captured two national championships at the USRowing Club Nationals.
As a junior and a senior at Washington, Derrick sat bow seat for the Huskies[apos] varsity eight and helped his team capture two Pac-10 Titles and a pair of second-place IRA finishes. Following the U.S. collegiate season, Derrick and the Huskies traveled to England to participate in the prestigious Henley Royal Regatta, the oldest regatta in the world. The Huskies went undefeated to win the event.
Overall, Derrick finished his collegiate career with a 202-11 record. He earned All-Pac-10 honors as a senior and was named to the Pac-10[apos]s All-Academic Team three times. Derrick graduated from Washington in 2004 with bachelor[apos]s degree in history.
In 2001, and at just 19 years old, Derrick once again represented the United States internationally. This time they brought home the silver medal from the FISA U-23 World Championships, hosted in Lintz, Austria.
Prior to arriving in Orlando, Derrick worked with Pocock Shells and started a new company, First Boat. The company partners with Pocock in an effort to supply refurbished boats to teams who can not afford new ones. Under his management, First Boat Co. was profitable in its first year and continues to help grow the sport of rowing.
Derrick holds a Level III coaching certification, and is currently pursuing his master[apos]s degree in intercollegiate athletic leadership.