NORTHAMPTON -
Meg Conan has been named the next head rowing coach at Smith College, announced by Director of Athletics and Recreation
Kristin Hughes on Wednesday.
"Meg is a proven winner both as a student-athlete and as a coach," said Hughes. "Her experience, her vision and her work ethic really stood out as exceptional qualities that will serve her well in this position. We are excited to welcome Meg to Smith Athletics and look forward to supporting her as she takes Smith Rowing to new heights!"
Conan spent the last seven years as an assistant men's and women's rowing coach at Hamilton College, highlighted by a national runner-up finish in 2021. The Hamilton staff were named the 2021 CRCA Division III Coaching Staff of the Year after the Varsity 8 placed third and Second Varsity 8 earned a silver medal at the 2021 National Championship.
Prior to Hamilton, Conan helped lead Williams to three NCAA Division III championship team titles from 2011 to 2013 and runner-up finishes in 2014 and 2016. The Ephs collected gold medals at NCAAs in the varsity 8 in 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2017, and in the second varsity 8 in 2012 and 2013. She has also coached with the Berkshire Rowing and Sculling Society, Alaska Midnight Sun Rowing Association, Cazenovia Rowing Club and Syracuse Chargers.
"I'm excited and incredibly honored to serve as the next Head Coach of Smith Rowing," said Conan. I want to extend my gratitude to Athletic Director
Kristin Hughes, Associate Athletic Director
Jess Duff, and the entire search committee for their trust and this opportunity. Throughout the process, what stood out most was a shared commitment to excellence, both within the athletic department and across the broader campus. Smith combines a world-class academic experience with top-tier athletic resources and it is clear that this environment attracts student-athletes who are dedicated and driven in their pursuits on and off the water. I'm looking forward to working with this exceptional group of student-athletes, and working alongside Coach
Graham Marks
and Coach
Rose Carr."
As a student-athlete at Williams, Conan was part of a women's rowing team that captured four national titles from 2006 to 2009. She rowed on a varsity 8 that finished first at the 2009 NCAA championships. In 2008 Conan was part of a second varsity 8 that was New England and Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) champions and was the top finishing second varsity 8 at NCAAs. Her novice boat was New England and ECAC champions in 2006. Conan was selected the Ephs' Outstanding Senior Oarswoman in 2009 and was a three-time NESCAC spring all-academic team and Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association National Scholar-Athlete honoree.
Conan graduated magna cum laude from Williams with a degree in psychology and a concentration in pre-medicine. She was elected to Phi Beta Kappa and made the Dean's List every year.
What They are Saying about Meg Conan --
"Meg is a skilled coach, mentor, and leader and has been a valued colleague at Hamilton. She truly loves rowing and competing, and works to instill that love for the sport and competition in her student athletes. The student athletes and her colleagues in Athletics at Smith are lucky to have her!"
-- Anna Lindgren-Streicher, Hamilton College Men's and Women's Rowing Coach
"Smith has made an excellent hire in naming
Meg Conan as their next head coach. She is a thoughtful, athlete-centered leader capable of coaching teams to the highest level of Division III women's rowing. Meg is beyond ready to step into a head coaching role, and Smith seems like the perfect fit."
-- Marc Mandel, Williams College Men's Rowing Coach
"Great opportunity for Meg and a great hire for Smith College. Meg has poured her career into making boats and teams faster. She was incredibly integral in Hamilton College Women's runner-up finish at NCAAs in 2021, the highest finish in program history. She is a very organized coach who is both caring and competitive and prepares her crews for any and all challenges."
-- Jim Lister, Colgate University Women's Rowing Coach
About Smith Athletics Smith College is a NCAA Division III member of the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) that sponsors 11 intercollegiate sports. For more information, log on to GoSmithBears.com and follow the Bears on Facebook and Instagram.
