Having been in the sport of rowing since 1958, Coach Dennis Kamrad has brought a lot to the crew teams at UCF, as well as many others in Florida and across the nation. Some of these teams include the University of Alabama, Edgewater High School, Florida Athletic Club, Orlando Rowing Club, Florida Institute of Technology, Michigan Technical University, Northern Michigan University, and Washington College. He has served numerous times on the U.S. Rowing Board of Directors, the Lightweight National Committee, and aside from forming them, the FSRA, FIRA, and SIRA. Coach Kamrad has been inducted into the UCF Athletics Hall of Fame and the Rollins College Sports Hall of Fame.

Though some may disagree with parts of his method, his workout plans involve his own ideas, as well as the students’. He tried to let the team make their own decisions, stating that "everyone helps paint the picture." Picking the oars back up at UCF to help out one of the programs he began, Dennis Kamrad’s enthusiasm and passion for the sport has spread like a wildfire amongst those he coaches, and the spark has been created again within our own team. Coach Kamrad tells us that he guarantees that his "life long membership will be used to the fullest." We don’t doubt it, and we hope that that goal will take many, many years to accomplish.

Year:

Senior

Major:

Engineering

Crew Involvement:

4 years – Lightweight

Other Clubs:

None

Born and raised in Orange Park, Florida, Erin is entering her fourth year at UCF as an Anthropology major with a focus in Forensics. Aside from crew, she has been highly involved in other organizations on campus. Erin has been the President of the Honors Congress, a mentor for the LEAD Scholars Program, and a researcher for an international project called ChinaVine. An avid swimmer and sports lover, she looked to a new challenge when arriving at college in 2005 and found rowing. She says her favorite thing about the sport is that she believes it is “the only true team sport that exists. Everyone counts on one another – that brings people together in a whole new way...The team is a family.”

Year:

Junior

Major:

Aerospace Engineering

Crew Involvement:

5 years rowing experience, 3 in high school, and 2 at UCF

Vadim Grigoryants is a Sophomore at UCF currently double majoring in Finances and Management. Vadim has 5 years of rowing experience under his belt, and has proven his knowledge of the sport through his performance on the team as well as time assistant coaching. Having competed in many state and national competitions throughout his time in High School and at UCF, Vadim has become a strong and friendly part of our family. In school, he is involved with the Burnett Honors College, as well as the Honors Congress.

Ryan Kasley is a sophmore at UCF and is majoring in English-Creative Writing. Ryan is a heavy weight rower. He stroked the frosh four at Dad Vails last year, and is returning this year to be a key rower in the varsity eight. As Public Relations officer, he hopes to spread awarness and interest in the the team throughout UCF and the Central Florida community, as well as helping the other officers in fundraising and recruiting. He looks foward to helping his team achieve success throughout the season, including making finals at the Dad Vail this Spring.