The Brock Badgers are rowing into a new era.

The Badgers named Katie Bruggeling as their next head coach on Tuesday, April 9.

Bruggeling recently guided the Queen’s Gaels to its first Ontario University Athletics (OUA) Women’s Rowing Championship title since 2012 and was named OUA Coach of the Year.

“Katie has a dynamic background in athletics and administration with a proven track record of fostering excellence in rowing programs,” said Melissa Krist, Executive Director of Brock Sports and Recreation. “She has a strong ability to nurture talent and drive success. Katie brings a wealth of experience coupled with a student-athlete first philosophy to the Badgers’ rowing program.”

Bruggeling is a certified Rowing Canada Performance Coach and recently coached the Canadian women’s eight to a bronze medal at the U23 World Championships in Bulgaria this past summer.

“I am thrilled and honoured to join the Badgers and continue the strong legacy of Brock rowing,” Bruggeling said. “It’s exciting to return to St. Catharines and its rowing community, and to join Brock University. I can’t wait to begin working with the student-athletes, coaches and staff.”

She holds a Master of Education in Athletics Administration from the University of Oklahoma, where she also served as an assistant coach with the Sooners’ rowing program.

Bruggeling obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology while competing as a student-athlete for Clemson University, where she later joined the Tigers as an assistant coach. She made two NCAA Championship appearances as a coxswain in 2010 and 2011 and coxed the group that was named Atlantic Coast Conference Crew-of-the-Year in 2011.

A graduate of St. Francis High School and St. Catharines Rowing Club alumna, Bruggeling grew up training and competing on the Badgers’ home course, Martindale Pond, in Port Dalhousie. From 2009 to 2012, Bruggeling earned six gold medals at the Royal Canadian Henley Regatta. She also coxed a boat that won the People of Port Dalhousie Trophy in the senior lightweight women’s eight at the 2023 Henley Regatta.

Mary Rao, who served as interim head coach this past season, will remain on staff as an associate coach.

Rao and Bruggeling made OUA rowing history as the first pair of female head coaches to win banners together. They also coached together for Rowing Canada at the Under-23 World Championships last summer, where they both achieved bronze with their respective crews.

“Our aim is to excel both in our endeavours on the water and in our personal growth, academics and athletic pursuits,” Bruggeling said. “I’m eager to further enhance Brock’s achievements and propel us onward.”