ITHACA, N.Y. — After serving as a graduate assistant coach for the Smith College women's rowing team for the past two seasons, Hannah Ondak will be joining the Cornell women's rowing coaching staff as an assistant coach, it was announced Thursday morning (Aug. 6) by Steve Coppola, the Staley Head Coach of Cornell Women's Rowing.
"What stood out to me about Hannah in the hiring process was the fresh perspective and confidence she will bring to the team," Coppola said. "Hannah has a bright future in coaching, and we're excited for her to continue that journey here at Cornell. I believe her experiences at the junior and collegiate levels, and immediately following college, will make her a great guide and mentor to the current and future team."
"I am incredibly grateful and absolutely thrilled at the opportunity to join Cornell women's rowing," Ondak said. "From my first conversations with the staff, it was clear that this program is full of people who care deeply about one another, the student-athlete experience, and the pursuit of excellence. I am honored by the trust they have placed in me, and look forward to learning from this amazing team. I'm counting down the days until I get to Ithaca and get started."
Ondak arrives at Cornell after a two-year tenure as a graduate assistant coach at Smith College, a Division III program based in Northampton, Mass. In that role, she helped develop the program's talent and speed, coaching the Bears' 3V8+ and 4V8+ crews while also managing the team's social media presence. Ondak earned her master's degree in exercise and sport science this past spring while coaching at Smith.
A 2024 graduate of Boston University, where she earned her bachelor's degree in public relations, Ondak spent two years as an undergraduate coach for the Terriers' women's rowing team, primarily managing and developing the novice program. She was responsible for running tryouts and selecting the 15 athletes who joined the team each year.
Along with her coaching experience at the collegiate level, Ondak served as a program leader for Sparks Rowing Camps in the summer of 2025, managing a group of high school athletes throughout their week at camp. Ondak interned with USRowing following her freshman year at Boston University, supporting the U.S. Junior National Team and assisting a group of 65 under-19 athletes as they trained for international competition. She also coached at Boston University Academy, working with high school students new to the sport of rowing.
