The Coaches

Rick Ferguson, Men's Head Coach

Rick began rowing in high school at TC Williams and later continued as a member of the rowing team at the University of Tampa. He joined the West Springfield coaching staff in 1991 coaching the men's team. Rick took over as head coach in 2004. In addition to duties of a head coach, he also coaches the men's Varsity boat. Rick has a USRowing Level 2 coaching certification.

Mark Hemphill, Women's Head Coach

Mark rowed for TC Williams high school crew team. He joined the West Springfield coaching staff in 2002 as coach of the men's novice/freshmen boats. Mark moved over to coaching the women's side in 2003 and then took over as Women's head coach in 2005. In addition to duties of a head coach, he also coaches the women's Varsity boat. Mark has a USRowing Level 2 coaching certification.

Matt Hoffer , Men's Assistant Coach

Matt joined the West Springfield coaching staff in 2007 as coach of the men's Novice boats.

Matt Petty , Men's Assistant Coach

Matt began rowing on the Occoquan River for the West Springfield Crew Team. In his senior year he was captain and was named to the Washington Post's All Met First Team. Matt joined the West Springfield coaching staff in 2005 as coach of the men's Freshmen boats. Matt has a USRowing Level 2 coaching certification.

Bill Randall, Women's Assistant Coach

Bill was a member of the East Lyme high school crew team in Connecticut and later continued to row for the US Coast Guard Academy. He has been a member of various clubs such as Blood Street Sculls (Old Lyme, CT), Cambridge Boat Club (Cambridge, MA), Boston Rowing Cetner (Boston, MA) Potomac Boat Club, and now is a member of the Occoquan Boat Club. Bill was on the 1987 US National Team. Bill joined the West Springfield coaching staff in 2006 as coach of the women's Novice boats. Bill has a USRowing Level 2 coaching certification.

Sarah Sikes , Women's Assistant Coach

Sarah began rowing on the Occoquan River for the West Springfield Crew Team and continued her rowing as a member of the crew team at the University of Kansas. Sarah is a member of Alexandria Community Rowing. Sarah joined the West Springfield coaching staff in 2006 assisting with the women's Novice/Freshmen boats. Then in 2007 she began coaching the Junior Varsity boats. Sarah has a USRowing Level 2 coaching certification.