NEW HAVEN, Conn. - Mike Gennaro, whose work as Yale's top assistant coach has helped the program reach unprecedented heights, has been named associate head coach for heavyweight crew.
 
Gennaro, a decorated international and collegiate oarsman, came to Yale in the fall of 2016. His leadership, hard work and gregarious nature immediately impacted the program. The Bulldogs have captured IRA National Championships and EARC Sprints Titles in 2017, 2018 and 2019 with their young assistant coach.
 
"Mike excels in all facets of coaching," said Steve Gladstone, the Craig W. Johnson '68 Head Coach of Yale Rowing and the most successful coach in the history of IRA National Championships. "His relationship with the athletes is excellent, he's able to teach the mechanics of the sport exceptionally well and he's as strong a recruiter as I've ever worked with. Yale heavy weight rowing would not be where it is today without Mike."
 
After a successful international rowing career, winning two gold medals at the 2011 Pan American Games (8+, 2-), earning a spot as an alternate at London's 2012 Olympic Games, and winning bronze and silver medals in the 4- for the United States at the World Rowing Championships in 2013 and 2014, the U.S. National Team and Havertown, Pa., native was lured out of the shell.
 
"Since I was first hired at Yale, I've always believed that I've had the best the job in the world. Working alongside Coach Gladstone and the student-athletes on our squad is a dream come true. It's been an absolute pleasure to call Yale and New Haven my home," said Gennaro. 
 
Gennaro, who began rowing in Philadelphia at St. Joseph's Prep, was part of the 2007 U.S. Junior National 8+ crew that took fifth at the Junior World Championships, went on to Syracuse University where he was team captain and helped the Orange make the Grand Final at the IRA National Championships in 2010. After graduating from Syracuse, Gennaro sat in the stroke seat of the U.S. 8+ that won the Under-23 World Championships in 2011.
 
Yale's new associate head coach also wants to express his gratitude for the athletics administration.
 
"I'd also like to thank Vicky Chun and Ann-Marie Guglieri for all they've done for me and my coaching career. Our administration here at Yale is the best in the country. I couldn't ask for a better team of colleagues and mentors within our department."