Dec. 15, 2011

Photo Gallery of Rick Clothier

ANNAPOLIS, Md. - Rick Clothier, head coach of the heavyweight rowing team at the Naval Academy, has announced he will step aside from intercollegiate coaching at the end of the 2011-12 season.

"I've given this decision a lot of thought, and now is the right time," said Clothier. "With the completion of the Hubbard Hall renovations, the establishment of the Excellence Fund for equipment needs, and a team of student-athletes attaining an increasingly higher level of performance, my most recent goals for the program have been achieved. At this time in my life, there are many other things I want to do - public service being foremost on my mind. I want to commit some time and energy to other programs in which I can help make a difference."

"Coach Clothier's personal and professional contributions to competitive crew at all levels, our midshipmen, and our community at large have been phenomenal," said Naval Academy Director of Athletics Chet Gladchuk. "It is impossible to fully grasp the magnitude of his positive influence on so many lives over an unparalleled and distinguished career. He is the benchmark for collegiate achievement in the sport and has been a role model for those at the Academy through his ability to both practically and philosophically balance every dimension of our moral, mental, and physical mission. Year after year his leadership emerges in influential and inspiring ways and Rick has proven to be one of the Academy's overall finest coaches and educators. As he now leaves intercollegiate coaching to others, I look forward to his transitioning into a number of new teaching and administrative challenges that will also include advancing our development efforts as a liaison to the hundreds of alumni and friends whose lives he has touched over the past 38 years. Thank you, Rick Clothier, for being who you are."

Clothier has a history of making a difference at the Naval Academy. During his tenure as head coach of the Midshipmen, he has achieved a career mark of 203-97-2 (.675), competing against some of the best teams in collegiate rowing. His overall record in over 40 years as a Division I head coach is 243-98-2 (.711), which includes five years at his alma mater, the University of Washington, prior to taking over the Navy program in 1974.

Among his many coaching accomplishments, Clothier oversaw the program's return to the Intercollegiate Rowing Association (IRA) National Championships in 1980 with an upset win in the Varsity Eight event. His crews went on to win seven Ten Eyck Trophies (overall team champions), three Varsity Challenge Cup titles (varsity national champions) and five Kennedy Trophy Cups (second varsity national champions).

In 32 years at the IRA, Clothier's Navy crews won 28 IRA championships. Additionally, he coached Navy to four consecutive gold medal wins at the prestigious Head of the Charles Regatta, the only collegiate crew to ever accomplish that goal.

Under his tutelage, 30 Navy oarsmen successfully rowed their way onto U.S. National Teams, competing at world-class events such as the Olympics, the Pan American Games, the World University Games and the World Rowing Championships.

Clothier was also tapped as head coach of U.S. teams at the Pan American Games in Mexico City (1975) and then again in Caracas, Venezuela (1983). He also coached the U.S. at the World University Games in Zagreb, Yugoslavia (1987).

Although he will no longer be involved in a coaching capacity, Clothier will remain on staff as a professor in the Physical Education Department at the Naval Academy.

"In all my years at the Academy, there has never been a day in which I wasn't excited about my work," said Clothier. "It has been a privilege to be part of Naval Academy athletics for so long, and to partner in shaping the character of young Naval and Marine Corps officers. I feel incredibly blessed to have coached some of the finest young men in the Fleet, and look forward to continuing my support of Navy rowing."

Clothier has long been known for his emphasis on the "whole man" development of his student-athletes. Navy rowing members take with them into their future lives the many lessons learned in Hubbard Hall. The Clothier mantra has been repeated by those he has coached: "It's not so much what you do during your undergraduate rowing experience, but what you become by it."

The Naval Academy Athletic Association will immediately conduct a national search to replace Coach Clothier as head coach of the men's varsity heavyweight rowing team. The Association will move aggressively in the process and best case, announce the new head coach as soon as possible during this upcoming spring season.

What others are saying about Rick Clothier...

Dr. Tom Virgets, Senior Associate Athletics Director/Physical Mission

"Rick is the consummate professional in his coaching and teaching. He has served on the highest-level committees at the Naval Academy, including the promotions and tenure committee. Rick has always been the individual that we call on to represent positively the image of the Physical Education Department."

Bill Roberts, Director of Aquatics/Navy Men's Swimming Head Coach

"My earliest memories of Rick are also some of my fondest. As a new assistant coach working under Coach Lee Lawrence back in the late 90's, I also had the honor of being the young one on many of the classes with Coach Bob MacDonald, Coach Lawrence, Coach Duff (emeritus) and Coach Rick Clothier. It was terrific and it was there that I spent a great deal of time working alongside and getting to know Coach Clothier.

"I have a lot of respect and admiration for Rick Clothier and will no doubt miss his presence as a coaching colleague."

Dirk Mosis, Former rower, U.S.N.A `73

"For Rick, rowing has always been part of the bigger picture at the Naval Academy in what it takes to become an officer. He truly embodies and instills all of the qualities of the Academy. For all of his success and accomplishments in rowing, I think they pale in comparison to what he has meant to the Academy, and ultimately to the Navy and Marine Corps. To do what he has done for as long as he has with such commitment, I really don't know how you can put that into words."

Chris Clark, Wisconsin Men's Rowing Head Coach and former Navy assistant (1992-94)

"I consider Rick a great mentor. I speak to him at least a couple of times a month and have done so since I got to Wisconsin 17 years ago. His career is amazing and what's more impressive to me is how his personality is unchanged - he still has the same energy, vigor and intelligence about rowing as when he started coaching.

"He has had an incredible career with victory after victory and is definitely one of the legends in our sport. It's a sad day to see him retire."