MBC COACHES
CRAIG DODSON
Head Coach
Craig has been rowing and coaching since 1996. He is a five-time US National Champion and has placed in the top three at US World Championships, Pan American Games, and Olympic Trials on multiple occasions.
Craig's coaching experience includes high school, college, senior, master, and elite level athletes; with those he has coached earning national titles at the US Scholastic Championships, IRA and NCAA Championships, US Masters National Championships, and US National Championships. His athletes have gone on to compete on behalf of the US National Team at the World Championships.
Craig has rowed and coached across the country, mostly training and working with athletes in the Twin Cities and Philadelphia, PA. Craig joined the coaching staff of Minnesota Boat Club in 2017 working with the Competitive Men. Since then, Craig has been the coach of both the men and women's open teams.
Craig took over as Head Coach of Minnesota Boat Club in 2020 ready to take his involvement to the next step. Craig oversees the training plan of all programs, as well as coaching and athlete development. He primarily works with the open team however is involved with each team as the season progresses. Craig is excited to work with the coaching team and the athletes of MBC towards perfecting the rowing stroke, improved fitness, and a strong showing at the NWIRA regatta in August.
Steve Whicher
Competitive Coach
Steve has been involved in the competitive sport of rowing since 1974, when he started as a high-school freshman in St. Catharines, Canada. During the 1970s and 1980s Steve competed with the Thunder Bay Rowing Club, University of Victoria, and Ridley Grad Boat Club. Competitive highlights include winning the Men’s Single, Dash Single, and Cox 4 at the Canadian Club Championship. Steve was a perennial
winner of the Men’s Single and Double at the Northwestern International Regatta (1980 – 1987). Canadian Henley victories include the Men’s Double and Men’s Quad. As a Master’s rower Steve found success again competing at the Minneapolis Rowing Club in the early 2000s winning the Single and Double at the Northwest.
Steve has coached intermittently since 1990 in the Twin Cities, first at the Minnesota Boat Club, then at
St. Thomas University (where he is again/currently the Head Coach). Later he coached the Men’s
Competitive team at Minneapolis Rowing Club, for one season. An undergraduate degree in Physical
Education and a PhD in Exercise Science provides a strong foundation to help guide rowers to achieve
their highest potential. He is excited to be back at Minnesota Boat Club (Summer 2023) coaching the
Competitive Program.
TOM PERRY
Head Coach, Masters
Tom Perry has been rowing since 1972. He is a four-time National Champion. Tom started his rowing career at the University of Minnesota as a lightweight. He went on to be a National Team candidate 1976-1980 as well as in 1985, making the team in 1980, the Olympic year. Tom has medalled three times at the Head of the Charles throughout his life long rowing career.
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Tom's coaching experience includes college, senior, and master athletes. He started coaching in 1976 as the coach of the University of Minnesota. He has coached at various collegiate programs and his athletes went on to win the Dad Vail Regatta. He returned to coach at the University of Minnesota from 2010-2013.
Tom was named the first Director of Minnesota Boat Club and led the club to a Lipton Cup victory at the NWIRA in 2013. Tom has mentored previous MBC coaches and taught many learn to row sessions, sharing his knowledge with all. Tom has extensive knowledge of equipment and the rowing stroke.
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Tom recently made his way back to the competition scene, rowing and racing for 612Endurance. He has a passion for the sport- teaching both new and experienced rowers to be more efficient, effective, and faster. He states "I will never lose sight of the notion that this sport needs to be fun."
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Tom returned to Minnesota Boat Club in 2020 to take over as the Masters program coach. He is excited to continue his work with the Masters in 2021. Tom also works with other programs and coaches on development and technique. We are thrilled to have such an established rower and coach on our staff.
HENRY TEAVER
Head Coach, Juniors
Henry has been an avid rower since his introduction to the sport in 2014. Building a bond to being on the water and an enthusiasm for the competitive nature of the sport of rowing. Growing up in Eden Prairie, he competed with Twin Cities Youth Rowing before attending the University of New Hampshire. He continues his competitive ambitions rowing with the MBC open men’s team.
Henry’s expectation is to provide an accessible team environment promoting the popularity of the sport of rowing and team participation. He encourages young athletes to test their comfort zone and push they’re athletic boundaries. Looking forward to fostering the competitive youth rowing culture in the twin cities area.
BRI PISCKE
Learn to Row Coordinator
LYNN HODNETT
Juniors Coordinator