SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Former U.S. National Team member, Olympian and NCAA Champion, Rachel Jeffers, has been added to the women's rowing coaching staff at Santa Clara University. A 2007 graduate of Yale University, Jeffers led Yale's Varsity Crew to its first NCAA National Championship in nearly 30 years.

Jeffers was a member of the U.S. National Rowing Team from 2006 through 2008, claiming the bronze medal at the 2006 World Championships in Eton, Great Britain. A year later they would win gold at the 2007 World Championships in Munich, Germany.

As one of the standouts on the U.S. National Team, Jeffers was chosen as an alternate to the 2008 United States gold-medal winning Olympic Eight boat in Beijing.

"I think any coach would be thrilled to have Rachel and all the experience she brings with her.  But what I like the most in Rachel is her understanding of how to work with more inexperienced athletes," said Santa Clara head women's rowing coach John Wojtkiewicz. "The training of walk-on or novice rowers will always be a critical component of the campaign to grow and develop this rowing program.  The person that leads that effort must have the breadth of experience to understand how high the standards of performance are, but also have the patience to recognize those standards will not be achieved overnight."

Jeffers was awarded the 2007 'Nelly Elliot Award,' given to the student-athlete who best represents the ideals of athleticism at Yale and was recognized as a 2007 NCAA 'Woman of the Year' Regional Finalist for her academic achievements, athletic excellence, service and leadership. She was a three-time NCAA First Team All-American.

Prior to coming to Santa Clara, Jeffers organized and coached over 30 adult women rowers for Martha's Moms Rowing Team in Seattle, Washington —one of the best female masters programs in the country.

FOR TRANSACTIONS:
SANTA CLARA – Named Rachel Jeffers Women's Rowing Assistant Coach.