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Fast finishes, a commitment to winning and success in the classroom define Dayton Flyers women's rowing head coach Derek Copeland.
Copeland is the fourth head coach in the Dayton Flyers women's rowing program's history since being moved to varsity status.
In 2007-08 UD enjoyed numerous successes in the water. The Flyers started off well at the Head of the Charles Regatta with UD's Varsity 8 turning in the best finish in the program's history by placing in seventh out of 52 participants. In the spring season, the Varsity 8 placed in first at the UD Spring Regatta and the Washington D.C. Regatta on back-to-back days.
Those two wins set the stage for a fourth place finish at the 2008 Atlantic 10 Women's Rowing Championship. After placing in fifth a season ago, UD's Lightweight 8 finished in second and the Varsity 8 and Second Varsity 8 each tallied a fourth place finish. Kate Athmer earned a First-Team, All-Atlantic 10 selection. Meanwhile juniors Allison Gates and Anna Heink received All-Atlantic 10 Second Team honors.
In the final race of the season, Dayton's Varsity 8 and Second Varsity 8 each reached the semifinals at the 2008 Dad Vail Regatta.
With strong boats in the Lightweight 8 and Varsity 8, Copeland continues the success of the Second Varsity 8 and the novice rowers. The Lightweight 8 has been nationally ranked the past three years in the Top 10 and the Varsity 8 and Second Varsity 8 one of their best showings of the year at their last meet, the Dad Vail Regatta.
In addition to his success on the water, Copeland places a strong emphasis on academics. In his first year as an assistant with the women's program, seven members from the Flyers women's rowing team were among those selected on the 2007 Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association scholar athletes.
Copeland will oversee the development of the Flyer women's rowing program. Those duties include fundraising, coordinating budgets, equipment purchasing and maintenance, scheduling, travel planning and player development.
Prior to his involvement with the women's rowing program, Copeland rowed for the UD men's club team from 1996 to 2000. He helped the Flyers achieve a Top 15 national ranking his final two seasons in the US Rowing Coaches Poll.
After rowing for UD, he became the club's head coach until 2006. Copeland has also worked as a head coach for the Dayton Boat Club.
Copeland graduated Dayton in 2000 with a degree in Business Management and is currently a Ph.D. candidate for Industrial and Organizational Psychology at Wright State University.
Copeland lives in Dayton with his wife Debra and sons Jobe and Dax.