Mike ConnorsTitle: Head Coach Experience: Seventh Season Alma Mater: Santa Clara, '83 Email:connors@csus.edu Bio:
Mike Connors is currently in his seventh season as the head coach of the Sacramento State women’s rowing program. Connors, who is the fourth women’s rowing coach in the program’s 15-year intercollegiate history, now has a total of 19 years of head coaching experience.
Connors has led the Hornets to two Western Intercollegiate Rowing Association (WIRA) team titles over the last three years (2006, 2007), including the varsity eight crown in 2006. The WIRA regatta serve as the team’s conference championship.
Last season, Sacramento State’s varsity eight (5-2), second varsity eight (5-1) and novice eight (4-2) combined for a 14-5 dual-meet record. In addition, the team’s varsity eight finished ahead of 38 other entries and won silver at the Dad Vail Regatta in Philadelphia. The team’s second varsity eight medaled (bronze) at the WIRA Championships for the fifth time during Connors’ tenure, and each of the team’s top three boats reached the WIRA grand final in their respective events.
In 2007, Connors oversaw six boats (varsity eight, second varsity eight, varsity four, novice eight, novice four and pair) to top five finishes at WIRAs for the first time in school history. In addition, the team’s top three boats - varsity eight, second varsity eight and novice eight - combined for a 19-4 dual meet record.
After taking over a program that was in a rebuilding phase in 2002-03, Connors has elevated Sacramento State to one of the elite teams in the Western Intercollegiate Rowing Association. That includes a school-record varsity eight time of 6:35.9 over 2,000 meters and a gold medal at the 2006 WIRA Regatta, the program’s first gold in the event since 2001.
The 2006 WIRA Coach of the Year, Connors’ varsity eight crews won 30 consecutive dual meets (dating back to 2003) until that streak was broken in 2007. Still, the varsity eight’s record under Connors’ watchful eye now stands at 41-7 since he took over the head coaching duties in 2003.
In 2005, he oversaw a program that had its varsity eight, second varsity eight and novice eight boats each post undefeated dual-meet records (a 24-0 combined record). In fact, the varsity eight went 8-0 and won all but one of its dual races by at least eight seconds. Each boat medaled at the WIRA Championships with the varsity eight winning bronze, the second varsity eight taking home silver and the novice eight winning its first gold medal in school history.
In 2004, he coached Sacramento State’s varsity eight to a 7-0 dual-meet record, the program’s first-ever gold medal at the Dad Vail Regatta, and a silver medal at the WIRA Championships. In addition, the Hornets’ second varsity eight took home the gold at the WIRA Championships for the first time in program history. Combined, Sacramento State’s top three boats (varsity eight, second varsity eight and novice eight) each finished no lower than second place at WIRAs.
In his first year with the Hornets (2002-03), Connors took over a program that had lost 13 letterwinners from the previous season. Despite a varsity eight which featured seven newcomers (including three novice rowers), Sacramento State’s top boat raced to a fourth-place finish at the WIRA Championships and an eighth-place finish at the Pac-10’s.
Not only is the varsity eight 41-7 during Connors’ tenure, but the second varsity eight is 29-4 over the same time frame. A total of 15 Sacramento State varsity members have received all-WIRA honors and four (Janine LaCrosse twice, Aimee Chenard, Laura Harder and Stephanie Brow) have been named to the all-West Region team under Connors.
Prior to his arrival at Sacramento State, the Spokane, Wash., native spent four years (1998-02) as the head men’s rowing coach at UC Davis. During that time, Connors guided the Aggies’ varsity eight to a WIRA title in 2001 and a second-place finish at the same event in 2002. In addition, the Aggies’ top boat became the first UCD varsity eight crew to compete at the Intercollegiate Rowing Association National Championships in 2001.
He also guided UC Davis’ second varsity eight to a WIRA championship in 2001 and a silver medal at the WIRAs in 2002. During his tenure with the Aggies, a total of 11 student-athletes received all-WIRA honors. Connors coached the UCD men’s novice crew for two years (1996-98) and led the novice eight to a silver medal at both the 1997 and 1998 WIRA Championships before being promoted to head coach.
Prior to his time with UC Davis, Connors served as head coach of the Oakland Strokes Rowing Club (1994-95). The club has over 100 members dedicated to junior/high school rowing.
The 22-year coaching veteran spent seven years as the head coach of the Santa Clara women’s rowing team (1986-92). Under his tutelage, the Broncos won the gold medal in the novice four at the 1987 national championships, becoming the first and only national championship boat for the Santa Clara women’s rowing program. He also coached the varsity four to a WIRA Championship in 1991.
Connors earned a bachelor of science degree in management from Santa Clara in 1983 and a master’s degree from his alma mater in finance in 1988. He spent four years rowing for Santa Clara (1979-83) and was elected to the school’s Hall of Fame as a member of the 1982 lightweight eight. That boat won the Western Sprints (now the Pacific Coast Rowing Championship) in 1981 and 1982, and is the last Santa Clara crew to compete at the Henley Royal Regatta in England. He was also a member of the varsity eight squad which won a bronze at the Western Sprints in 1981 and 1982.
Connors was named Most Valuable Oarsman during his junior and senior years and was named team co-captain in 1983.
Connors and his family reside in Fair Oaks, Calif.
Mike Connors
