Connelly Named First 
Full-Time Crew Coach 
at Franklin Pierce

RINDGE, N.H. (August 23, 2005) – Franklin Pierce has named Doug Connelly as its first full-time men’s and women’s crew coach. The announcement was made today by Bruce Kirsh, Vice President and Director of Athletics at the College, and confirmed by President Dr. George J. Hagerty.

            "Coach Connelly is an outstanding addition to our staff,” said Kirsh. “He brings years of experience and professionalism to our rowing programs."

            Connelly recently completed his first year at the helm of the men’s and women’s crew program on a part-time basis. Under his guidance, Franklin Pierce enjoyed a strong year, with the women’s varsity four earning a gold medal at The Knecht Cup, hosted by Villanova University, and placing fifth at the New England Championships. The WV4 earned the program’s first invitation to the ECAC Championships.

            “I look forward to continuing to build Franklin Pierce’s rowing program,” said Connelly. “Last spring was a great one for both the men’s and women’s programs. This year again, our focus will be on winning medals and earning entries into the ECAC and NCAA Championships.”

During their fall season, the women’s varsity four placed fourth at the Textile River Regatta in Lowell, Mass., as well as the New Hampshire Championships. The team placed 20^th at the Head of the Charles.

Connelly will be charged with establishing a fleet of varsity eights which are required for qualification for the NCAA Championships. In addition to his duties with the crew program, Connelly will serve as advisor to the new rugby club at Franklin Pierce.

“By racing eights, we step into the highest level of collegiate rowing,” stated Connelly. “Our competitors will be stronger, better trained, and faster on the water. We will be forced to take our racing to a new level, and I am confident we will do it well.”

Connelly brings over ten years of rowing and coaching experience to Franklin Pierce. He rowed collegiately for four years at Colby College, earning medals at every major New England regatta that his crew entered, including the Head of the Charles, the New England Championships and the ECAC Championships. 

Immediately after graduating from Colby in 1999, Connelly accepted the novice men's coaching position at The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. There, his crews medalled in a number of races, including their home fall regatta, The Speakmon, and the Spring SIRA championships. Coach Connelly now races and occasionally coaches from his single on Pearly Pond. 

Connelly's other interests lie in the wilderness. During the summer, when not on the water, he guides wilderness trips in the Rocky Mountains for the National Outdoor Leadership School. Backpacking, rock climbing, fly-fishing, and natural history are the focus on these 30-day backcountry trips. He recently completed his Master’s Degree in environmental education at Antioch New England Graduate School in Keene, N.H.