William Smith College Rowing Head Coach Sandra Chu was presented with the Joy of Sculling College Coach of the Year award on Saturday, Dec. 8 at the Joy of Sculling Conference in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.
 
In 2011-12, Chu guided the Herons to one of the most successful seasons in the program's history. William Smith defended its Liberty League Championship, captured four medals at the New York State Championships, including gold in the varsity eight and second varsity eight, and secured a bronze medal in the varsity eight at the ECAC National Invitational Rowing Championship.

Those performances earned the Herons a berth in the NCAA Division III Rowing Championship. William Smith's varsity eight finished third in the NCAA grand final and the second varsity eight won the petite final (fifth overall) to earn the team the NCAA's fourth place trophy. It was the Herons' highest finish in four NCAA appearances under Chu.
 
Chu was presented the award by last year's winner, Tessa Spillane of Wellesley College, who described Chu as a long-standing contributor to collegiate rowing, particularly for her work on the NCAA Division III rowing committee and on the Collegiate Rowing Coaches' Association Board. Spillane characterized Chu as a “fierce competitor” whose athletes demonstrate the same quality. 
 
“I am honored and humbled to receive this award,” Chu said during her acceptance speech. “The Joy of Sculling Conference was the very first rowing conference I ever attended and Mark Davis, Hobart '96, who helps run the conference, was one of the first coaches I competed against in the Big 12. Last night's panel highlighted what is special about the coaches in the room—they have passion, integrity, and really care about people. That's what is so great about being a rowing coach—working with people like that. 
 
“This award means so much because of that—there are so many great coaches deserving of the award, right here in the room. And of course, coming from Jim Joy, with his connection to Hobart and William Smith rowing, it is extremely special. Each day I hope I am doing the kind of job that honors what Jim did for our program.”
 
Chu went on to thank former Assistant Coach Jodi Hope, Chu's mentors and friends in the sport, her student-athletes, and her family for their support.
 
“You can't do this without people behind you, and my husband Derek is my No. 1 fan,” Chu said. “He drives the trailer, carries shoes, updates our Facebook page. My daughter, Payce, has been traveling with the team since she was four weeks old. Now four years old, she checks over the trailer before departure and truly believes the Herons can defeat the Statesmen—you can't beat that kind of fan.”
 
Chu also commented after receiving the award that it was even more meaningful to receive it from her good friend, Spillane.
 
The evening's other honorees included Florida Institute of Technology Men's Rowing Head Coach Jim Granger, the University of Virginia Women's Rowing Head Coach Kevin Sauer, the University of Washington Men's Rowing Head Coach Michael Callahan, U.S. Junior National Team Men's and Women's Rowing Head Coach Steve Hargis; Al Morrow, Volker Nolte, and Ed McNeely, all of Rowing Canada Aviron, and Great Britain Women's National Team Head Coach Paul Thompson.
 
In addition to the Joy of Sculling Award, Chu was also named the 2012 Coach of the Year by the Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association, the ECAC, and the Liberty League.