Serra Sevenler was named as the new Director of Rowing and Women's Rowing Head Coach of her alma mater effective August 23, 2021. She took over the program with over 15 years of experience in the sport and deep ties to the Rochester community.
In two seasons at the helm, Sevenler guided Rochester to a runner-up finish at the Liberty League Championship in 2022, have six All-League rowers and win back-to-back varsity 8 gold medals at the Head of the Genesee Regatta.
Sevenler brought a vast amount of coaching experience to the River Campus, with the most recently stint at Columbia University where she served as an Assistant Coach during the 2020-21 season.
Prior to her time at Columbia, Sevenler was the Women's Varsity Coach at RIT for two seasons in 2019 and 2020. Sevenler also was previously an assistant at Rochester, serving as the Men's Head Coach for the 2017-18 campaign.
As an undergraduate at Rochester, Sevenler was team captain her junior and senior year along with being a member of the All-Liberty League team as a senior. During her sophomore season, she helped the Yellowjackets earn the Division III gold medal at the 75th Dad Vail Regatta in 2013.
Other experience that Sevenler brings to the Rochester program includes being Director of Rowing at the Genesee Rowing Club, Graduate Assistant Coach at the University of Buffalo, and Lead Junior Rowing Coach at the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club.
Sevenler earned a bachelor's degree from Rochester in 2015, double-majoring in Business and Digital Media Studies. She also earned a Master's degree in Higher Education Administration from the University of Buffalo in 2017.
