ITHACA, N.Y. – Hilary Gehman, The Staley Head Coach of Women's Rowing, has been named the Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association Mid-Atlantic Coach of the Year, as was announced by the CRCA. As a regional winner, Gehman is now eligible to win the National Coach of the Year Award to be voted on in June.

In just her fourth season at the helm of the program, Gehman directed the Big Red to its first national ranking since May 5, 2004, when the team came in at No. 20 in the USRowing/Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association NCAA Division I Coaches poll on April 15. The rankings are based on the results of the Varsity 8, Second Varsity 8, and Varsity 4 crews.

In the May 19 CRCA national poll the Big Red was ranked 18th.

The CRCA Regional Coach of the Year Award is intended to recognize a head coach that fits one or more of the following criteria: Outstanding success during the current season, demonstrated great team improvement from the prior season, fulfilled team's potential and demonstrated a high level of professionalism and integrity as a coach.