GIRLS VARSITY COACH, PROGRAM COORDINATOR
Coach Hanig joined the team for the 2008 fall season, coming to us from Colgate University where since 2006 he was the Raiders’ Assistant Coach of Men’s Rowing. He launched his rowing career at Spackenhill High School in Poughkeepsie, NY, where he was a four-year letter winner, two-year team captain, Mid Hudson Athletic League Academic All Star, and Poughkeepsie Journal All Star. He was a member of the Hudson River Rowing Association, competed in the Head of the Charles Regatta, as well as in the Empire State Games where his Junior 4+ won a silver medal. After graduation, he continued rowing at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, majoring in Pre-Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science and receiving his Bachelor of Science degree in 2006. Highlights of his four years of Minuteman rowing include three years on the varsity, helping the team capture the 2002 New England Championship, being elected team President of UMass Men’s Rowing in his junior and senior years, and serving as Assistant Coach 2005-2006. He is a member of the UMass Alumni Rowing Association.
What is your favorite rowing memory?
I have a lot of favorites. One of them has to be the Grand Final of the Empire State Games in 2001. I was rowing in a 4+ of guys that I had never met prior to that summer. By the time Empires rolled around they were some of my closest friends (a few still are). We came in 2nd in the Grand Final, but I had pushed so hard that by the end of the race my entire body was literally shaking from the effort. I had never been so satisfied in my life. Another memory is the summer of 2004. My friend Dave and I borrowed singles from Jim Dietz (the UMass Women’s coach) and just spent the entire summer learning to scull, logging a ton of mileage, and having fun doing it.
How did you get involved in crew?
I started rowing the winter of my freshman year in High School. A friend convinced me it would be a good way to stay in shape for soccer the next fall. As soon as I set foot in a boat, I knew I wasn’t going to be playing soccer the next year!
What has rowing done for you?
Rowing gave me something to look forward to everyday. The great thing about this sport is how it rewards hard work and effort, and that really gave me confidence, discipline, and determination. Especially when there are things pulling you in a thousand different directions, rowing really helps to keep me focused.
Why do you coach?
I enjoy seeing others succeed. It’s extremely rewarding to see a group give an incredible amount of hard work and enthusiasm over the course of a year and be rewarded for all of that by meeting their goals, being successful, and gaining confidence.
Favorite spoken quote?
Words are nice, but actions speak much louder.