May 21, 2008

EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State's rowing head coach Matt Weise was named the Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association's (CRCA) Central Coach of the Year, as announced by the CRCA Wednesday afternoon. The award is the second for Weise in his career, having also nabbed the regional honor in 2005.

"Winning any award, as a coach or as a student-athlete, really is just indicative of the strength of our staff and team," said Weise. "We couldn't accomplish anything without everyone. The assistants and the whole staff make this team as good as it is. And it is certainly nice to be recognized."

The CRCA Coach of the Year Award is intended to recognize a head coach that fits one or more of the following criteria: Outstanding success during the current season, demonstrated great team improvement from the prior season, fulfilled team's potential and demonstrated a high level of professionalism and integrity as a coach.

This year, the Spartans claimed the Big Ten Championship in Ann Arbor, Mich. on May 3, tallying a record tying 150 points as the varsity eight, second varsity eight and varsity four crews earned first-place finishes. Weise was named the Big Ten Coach of the Year following MSU's performance, an honor he also won in 2005. Adding to MSU's 2008 resume, Anne Cowan earned the Athlete of the Year and Laura Cowal nabbed the Freshman of the Year award, as the Spartans swept the post-season accolades.

At the South/Central Sprints on May 18-19, Weise led the Spartans to their first-ever Central title, defeating the regional field with a program-best 371 points. Overall, the Spartans finished second at the sprints behind Virginia.

Michigan State celebrated its selection to the 2008 championship yesterday, May 20 - its 10th invitation in the program's 11-year history. The last time MSU competed at nationals (2006), Weise and the Spartans earned a sixth-place team finish, the highest ever in school history.