Princeton University Athletics
Photo by: Beverly Schaefer
Matt Smith Promoted To Associate Head Coach of Heavyweight Rowing
December 06, 2019 | Heavyweight Rowing
PRINCETON, N.J. – Matt Smith was promoted to associate head coach of the men's heavyweight rowing team, head coach Greg Hughes announced.
"I greatly appreciate the opportunities that Ford Family Director of Athletics Mollie Marcoux Samaan '91, Executive Associate Director of Athletics Anthony Archbald, Greg and the PURA family have created for me professionally and for my family," said Smith. "Princeton University and Princeton Rowing are world class and being part of this family is very special."
The Heavies are coming off a stellar 2019 spring season where they were fifth in the Ten Eyck Team Trophy standings for the second straight year at the IRA National Championship. The group had three boats place in the top-five. Some of other signature moments include regaining the Content Cup over No. 5 Brown along with Childs and Navy-Princeton Rowing Cups victories.
In the 2018 season, the Tigers came within a second of a silver medal at Eastern Springs and rebounded to collect a top-five IRA finish. The year prior, Princeton won gold in both the 2V and 4V Sprints finals, while the 3V earned silver.
Smith coached both the Princeton 3V and 4V during the 2016 season, and he experienced plenty of winning throughout the season. After perfect regular seasons by both boats, both the 3V and 4V went to Sprints and capped those seasons with gold medals. The 3V punctuated the season in style by winning gold at the IRA national championships; it was the first gold medal for a Princeton boat at IRAs since the freshman eight won the 2003 title. Members of the 4V created a varsity four that won silver at IRAs.
His work with the whole program helped Princeton repeat as Rowe Cup champion at Eastern Sprints. Princeton also finished second in the team points race at the IRA Championships, its best finish since 2005.
During his first season, Princeton went 8-1 as a team, including its first win over Harvard since 2006, and it medaled in the V8 grand finals at both Sprints and IRAs. The V8 and 2V8 combined to finish 3.95 seconds out of first place in their respective IRA grand finals. No Eastern program combined to go under four seconds in those two IRA races since 2004.
Smith also helped send an unprecedented three boats to the 2015 Royal Henley Regatta, and his top two boats were placed in the prestigious Ladies Plate Challenge.
"I greatly appreciate the opportunities that Ford Family Director of Athletics Mollie Marcoux Samaan '91, Executive Associate Director of Athletics Anthony Archbald, Greg and the PURA family have created for me professionally and for my family," said Smith. "Princeton University and Princeton Rowing are world class and being part of this family is very special."
The Heavies are coming off a stellar 2019 spring season where they were fifth in the Ten Eyck Team Trophy standings for the second straight year at the IRA National Championship. The group had three boats place in the top-five. Some of other signature moments include regaining the Content Cup over No. 5 Brown along with Childs and Navy-Princeton Rowing Cups victories.
In the 2018 season, the Tigers came within a second of a silver medal at Eastern Springs and rebounded to collect a top-five IRA finish. The year prior, Princeton won gold in both the 2V and 4V Sprints finals, while the 3V earned silver.
Smith coached both the Princeton 3V and 4V during the 2016 season, and he experienced plenty of winning throughout the season. After perfect regular seasons by both boats, both the 3V and 4V went to Sprints and capped those seasons with gold medals. The 3V punctuated the season in style by winning gold at the IRA national championships; it was the first gold medal for a Princeton boat at IRAs since the freshman eight won the 2003 title. Members of the 4V created a varsity four that won silver at IRAs.
His work with the whole program helped Princeton repeat as Rowe Cup champion at Eastern Sprints. Princeton also finished second in the team points race at the IRA Championships, its best finish since 2005.
During his first season, Princeton went 8-1 as a team, including its first win over Harvard since 2006, and it medaled in the V8 grand finals at both Sprints and IRAs. The V8 and 2V8 combined to finish 3.95 seconds out of first place in their respective IRA grand finals. No Eastern program combined to go under four seconds in those two IRA races since 2004.
Smith also helped send an unprecedented three boats to the 2015 Royal Henley Regatta, and his top two boats were placed in the prestigious Ladies Plate Challenge.
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