William Smith College Director of Athletics Deb Steward recently announced the appointment of Jodi Hope to serve as the assistant rowing coach for the 2009-10 season. A graduate of the University of Connecticut, Hope brings collegiate and scholastic coaching experience to the Herons.

“Jodi comes to us with a quality background as a rowing coach and a student-athlete,” Steward said. “Her experience leading the novice team at the University of Connecticut will be an asset to our novice rowers and as a successful collegiate student and athlete, she will be a great mentor to our Heron rowers.”

Hope earned a bachelor's degree in family studies from UConn in 2005. A four-year member of the Huskies' rowing team, she served as a team captain as a senior. Hope was a three-time Big East Scholar-Athlete and a Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association (CRCA) Scholar-Athlete in 2005.

On the water, Hope won gold medals at Dad Vail Regatta in 2004 as a member of the second varsity eight and in 2005 as a member of the varsity eight. She earned UConn's Drive Award, for demonstrating the best work ethic during winter training, as a sophomore, and garnered the Husky Award, for leadership, friendship, and dedication, two years later.

Hope returned to her alma mater as a graduate assistant coach in the fall of 2005. She was responsible for the Huskies' novice rowers and also assisted with the varsity squad. After earning a master's degree in education, Hope was promoted to assistant coach for the 2007-08 season.

Most recently, Hope served as an assistant rowing coach at Glastonbury (Conn.) High School during the 2009 spring season. She has also coached at the Riverfront Recapture Rowing Club in Hartford, Conn., and at the Blood Street Sculls Club in Old Lyme, Conn.

The 2009-10 William Smith racing season is scheduled to begin on Oct. 3 when the Herons host the annual HWS Challenge on the Canal.