Coaching Experience
• Assistant Coach/Recruiting Coordinator, Cornell University (2019 – Present)
• Assistant Coach, Cornell University (2017 – 2019)
• Assistant Coach, Community Rowing Inc. (2015-2017)
• Program Coordinator, Let’s Row Boston (2012-2015)
• Intern Coach, Cornell University (2010-2012)
• Head Coach and Club Manager, Cascadilla Boat Club (2008-2012)
Education
• B.S., Mechanical Engineering, Cornell (2004)
• MDiv, Boston University School of Theology (2008)
At Cornell
Tennant enters his fourth year with the Cornell men’s heavyweight rowing team in 2020-21, serving as the program's assistant coach from 2017-19 and being promoted to the role of assistant coach and recruiting coordinator prior to the 2019-20 season. In addition to being the first assistant, Tennant serves as the primary staff member responsible for coordinating recruiting, having previously assisted in this area. Over the past three seasons, Tennant has coached the third and fourth Varsity eight boats, leading the third Varsity eight boat to a victory in the Third Level Final at the 2019 IRA National Championships, placing 13th overall.
Tennant also served as Cornell’s intern coach on two separate occasions, in 2005 and from 2010-12. The second stint from 2010-12 overlapped with his position with the Cascadilla Boat Club. Tennant has experienced success during all of his coaching stints with the Big Red, coaching the Varsity pair to a gold medal at the 2005 IRA Regatta and the Open 4+ to a gold medal at the 2010 IRA National Championships. Tennant also worked with the lightweight crews during their winter training trips in 2011 and 2012.
Prior To Cornell
Tennant came to Cornell after a two-year stint at Community Rowing Inc., in Boston. He served as the assistant coach for the nationally-competitive girls’ team and was the lead coach for the adult sculling program. Additionally, Tennant designed both on-water and land-based training programs, coached adaptive athletes with physical and intellectual impairments, and taught introductory classes to adult learners of all ages.
Prior to his time with CRI, Tennant spent three years as the Boys Coach and Program Coordinator for Let’s Row Boston, administering the grant-funded urban-outreach program. He managed a team of six coaches and 50 rowers, while spearheading recruiting efforts at six urban high schools.
Tennant’s coaching career began at nearby Cascadilla Boat Club, where he served as the Head Coach and Boathouse Manager from 2008 to 2012. While with Cascadilla, he directed all aspects of day-to-day club activity, managed a staff of 10 assistant coaches, oversaw year-round rowing programs and increased youth enrollment from 65 to 110 participants.
Rowing Career
Tennant was a guiding force at Cornell as a student-athlete as well. Despite being a walk-on for the Big Red lightweight team, Tennant rapidly made his way into the first Varsity eight, rowing in the top boat in each of his final three seasons. During that time, he helped Cornell to a 17-9 head-to-head record, won a bronze medal at the 2001 EARC Sprints, and advanced to the Grand Finals at IRAs three times, finishing just outside the medals in 2003. As a senior, he earned Academic All-Ivy honors.
Updated May 2020
