Gruber and Zoppa Named To Rowing Coaching Staff

STORRS, Connecticut (July 10, 2008) – Kevin Gruber has been named an assistant women’s rowing coach at the University of Connecticut after serving in the same position at Southern Methodist University for the past four years.

Gruber was the primary coach for the freshman and novice boats at SMU and had various other responsibilities in the program. He served as the head coach of men’s and women’s rowing at the University of Charleston (W.Va.) from 2002-04. At Charleston, he also was a games management coordinator and served as the school’s sports information director. He served as a graduate assistant coach at West Virginia during the 2001-02 academic year.

“Kevin is going to be a great addition to our staff,” says UConn head coach Jennifer Sanford-Wendry. “He comes to UConn with a lot of coaching and recruiting experience and I am confident that he will make an immediate positive impact on our program.  He is enthusiastic and passionate about the sport of rowing. "

At UConn, Gruber will assist with the returning rowers and the experienced incoming freshman.

Gruber is a 2000 graduate of Massachusetts-Amherst and was a four-year member of the men’s crew club team. He earned his undergraduate degree in sport management and journalism. Gruber earned a master’s degree from West Virginia in athletic coaching education.

Also joining the Husky rowing staff this year as an assistant coach is Allyson Zoppa, a 2008 graduate. Zoppa will work primarily with the walk-on rowers and was a four year member of the UConn team. As a sophomore, she stroked UConn’s lightweights to a silver medal in the second varsity four at BIG EAST Championship. A native of East Hartford, Conn., she earned her degree in human development and family studies with minors in English and psychology.

She has coached rowers of all ages the past four years through the Riverfront Recapture Program in Hartford. At UConn, she will work primarily with the walk-on rowers.

“I am very happy to have Allyson continue to be a part of the UConn rowing program,” says Sanford-Wendry. “She was a great role model for other rowers in her four years at UConn, both on and off the water.”