Feb. 22, 2005

DAYTON, Ohio - - The University of Dayton announced that Geoff Dillard has accepted a position to become the head women's rowing coach at George Mason University, Tuesday. The team will be led for the remainder of the season by interim Head Coach Mike Farrey.

Dillard had been the head varsity coach at UD since June 2003 after serving as an assistant coach for the 2002-2003 season.

The Flyers finished in fifth place in team points at the A-10 Championships and the Varsity 8+ finished in fifth place at ECAC last season, under Dillard's guidance. While coaching the Novice women's team during the 2002-03 season, the Novice 8+ finished in fourth place at the A-10 Championships.

He first joined his alma mater's staff in 2000 after earning his bachelor's degree in sport management. He immediately tasted success coaching the novice men's lightweight 8+ to a silver medal at SIRA regatta and a bronze medal at the Dad Vail Regatta. During his reign as assistant women's rowing coach, Dillard helped the second Varsity 8+ to a second place at Head of the Ohio Regatta, and a third place finish at the A-10 Championships in 2002.

Originally from Boston, MA, Dillard graduated from UD with a degree in Sport Management in 2000 and was a five-year member of the men's club rowing team, leading the Flyers to a #13 ranking in the final US Rowing National Collegiate Coaches Poll his senior season. He was also awarded the Outstanding Senior Award for 1999-2000.

After graduating, he served as the UD Men's Novice head Coach for the 2000-2001 season, and joined the UD Department of Athletics as a member of the marketing staff, where he was the Marketing and Technology Coordinator.