On Jun. 22, Athletics and Recreation announced Katie Bruggeling as head coach of Queen’s Rowing. She replaces Rami Massarani. 

For the past three years, Bruggeling has been the full-time assistant coach of the rowing team, where she played a major role in recruiting top-level rowers and managing logistics and fundraising. 

In an interview with The Journal, Bruggeling said she ‘s very excited to have the opportunity to continue with the program in this new role.

“I really feel like we’ve built something special over the last three years and we’re just on the cusp of it all coming together,” she said. 

“I’m definitely thrilled to be able to continue to build and work with the current team and everyone that helps out.” 

Bruggeling has been in the sport of rowing for over 20 years as both an athlete and a coach. She was a varsity coxswain at Clemson University, and she previously coached at the University of Oklahoma—both NCAA Division 1 schools. 

Bruggeling’s experience ranges from club to national level rowing. From coaching roles with the Kingston Rowing Club to the 2020 CanAmMex team with Rowing Canada, she’s eager to carry the diversity of her rowing background into the head coach role at Queen’s. 

“I really feel like the combination of all those different experiences have helped shape my philosophy and have helped me gain the technical expertise to help lead this program,” Bruggeling explained. “I’m really excited to apply all those different experiences in this context.” 

As the assistant coach, Bruggeling led the men’s and women’s rowing teams to bronze at the 2019 OUA Championships. Also under Bruggeling, the Gaels took home an impressive medal haul at the 2019 Canadian University Rowing Championship, earning four silver medals. 

When asked about her vision for the program moving forward, Bruggeling emphasized that athletic performance and personal growth will continue to be a big part of the culture, both in terms of the team and the pursuit of excellence. 

Becoming a consistent leading program in Canada is also on Bruggeling’s mind.

“Through a combination of academic and athletic excellence and integrity of character, we’d be a consistent top contender in a way that’s very strategic and systematic with a group of passionate people that we already have.”