Women's rowing hits water with new coach
Emily Ford takes over Beaver rowing program with two new assistants and high hopes
Lindsay Schnell
Issue date: 9/27/06 Section: Sports
Emily Ford wanted to be selective.
The new OSU women's rowing coach, who came to Corvallis after 11 years at Michigan, knew that she wanted to be a head coach somewhere after helping build the Wolverines' program but was going to be picky about where she went.
"Being here [at OSU] is exciting," Ford said. "This is exactly what I wanted; it's in a competitive conference, I liked the location and I'm really excited about the energy of this athletic department."
Ford spent her first six years at Michigan as an assistant coach before being promoted to associate head coach. While at UM, Ford's primary job was to coach the second varsity boat and in 2004, after her boat won a Big Ten Championship and placed at the NCAA Championships, Ford was named the Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association's Central Region and National Assistant Coach of the Year.
Now, in her first year running a program by herself, Ford has high expectations.
"I think there's a history of success here," she explained. "It's been a little up and down, but there's still room to take it to another level."
"Handling the transition is going to be really important. There's a lot of positives things ingrained in this program already and there's a really good foundation."
After being hired, the first thing on Ford's to-do list was to complete her staff. She started by hiring Vita Scaglione, who rowed at Michigan under Ford before working alongside her for the last couple years.
"Vita is, hands down, definitely one of the best athletes I've ever seen in terms of work ethic and commitment," Ford said. "For years after she graduated [from Michigan] it was, 'do it like her.' I know she can develop talent."
After hiring Scaglione, Ford went after Kate Maxim, another former UM rower. Maxim had been coaching the last two years at Lewis & Clark College in Portland while studying law and jumped at the chance to help at a Division-I program.
"Kate doesn't have a ton of coaching experience, but - and I felt this way about her as an athlete too - she has an innate talent for it and great instincts," Ford said.
The plan for the upcoming season is to have Scaglione run the JV boat and have Maxim coach the novice team. Rowers hit the water for the first time Tuesday.
"It's going to take me a while to assess where I can make the most impact," Ford said. "I don't feel like I have anything to be nervous about. I'm mostly just excited to get going."
The new OSU women's rowing coach, who came to Corvallis after 11 years at Michigan, knew that she wanted to be a head coach somewhere after helping build the Wolverines' program but was going to be picky about where she went.
"Being here [at OSU] is exciting," Ford said. "This is exactly what I wanted; it's in a competitive conference, I liked the location and I'm really excited about the energy of this athletic department."
Ford spent her first six years at Michigan as an assistant coach before being promoted to associate head coach. While at UM, Ford's primary job was to coach the second varsity boat and in 2004, after her boat won a Big Ten Championship and placed at the NCAA Championships, Ford was named the Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association's Central Region and National Assistant Coach of the Year.
Now, in her first year running a program by herself, Ford has high expectations.
"I think there's a history of success here," she explained. "It's been a little up and down, but there's still room to take it to another level."
"Handling the transition is going to be really important. There's a lot of positives things ingrained in this program already and there's a really good foundation."
After being hired, the first thing on Ford's to-do list was to complete her staff. She started by hiring Vita Scaglione, who rowed at Michigan under Ford before working alongside her for the last couple years.
"Vita is, hands down, definitely one of the best athletes I've ever seen in terms of work ethic and commitment," Ford said. "For years after she graduated [from Michigan] it was, 'do it like her.' I know she can develop talent."
After hiring Scaglione, Ford went after Kate Maxim, another former UM rower. Maxim had been coaching the last two years at Lewis & Clark College in Portland while studying law and jumped at the chance to help at a Division-I program.
"Kate doesn't have a ton of coaching experience, but - and I felt this way about her as an athlete too - she has an innate talent for it and great instincts," Ford said.
The plan for the upcoming season is to have Scaglione run the JV boat and have Maxim coach the novice team. Rowers hit the water for the first time Tuesday.
"It's going to take me a while to assess where I can make the most impact," Ford said. "I don't feel like I have anything to be nervous about. I'm mostly just excited to get going."
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