Wayne Berger named as Lehigh’s first head men’s rowing coach

Wayne Berger was recently named Lehigh’s first head men’s rowing coach, coming to Lehigh with international titles and more than 35 years of coaching experience.

However, his distinguished career in the sport didn’t start out quickly.

Berger graduated from Cornell University in 1988, where he was initially recruited to swim for the Big Red. He said he was introduced to rowing his sophomore year and ultimately switched over to rowing for Cornell by his junior year.

After competing at the collegiate level, Berger started his early coaching career while simultaneously working as a boarding school counselor at The Hotchkiss School in Lakeville, Connecticut.

He then went on to Harvard, where he coached his crew to three IRA National Championships and five Eastern Sprints Championships. During this time, he also founded the Boston Rowing Club, leading crews to seven Royal Canadian Henley Regatta championships over five summers.

But his coaching experience has extended far beyond the collegiate level.

On the international stage, Berger led the Sydney Rowing Club to two national titles in Australia during the 2013-2014 season, coached the Paralympic mixed four with coxswain to a silver medal in Tokyo and four titles at the U.S. Rowing Club National Championships from 2005-2010.

“Being able to coach such high-caliber athletes and watching their high performance is great,” he said. “But I actually get most excited by teaching students how to row and race.”

Berger said Lehigh has a combination of experienced rowers and walk-ons that have never stepped foot in a boat.

His connection to Lehigh began through his work for the Institute for Rowing Leadership, a graduate program for coaches. He instructed Peter Costas, the director of rowing and Lehigh women’s head coach.

Berger said Costas reached out to him about elevating the men’s rowing program and bringing him on as a coach.

“I knew about Lehigh because of my counseling background,” Berger said. “But then what drew me in as a coach were the types of student-athletes that Lehigh produces.”

He joined Lehigh in 2025 as an assistant coach, working mostly remotely for the women’s and men’s rowing team. Berger said he mostly stepped in to help with training plans, scouting and watching training videos until athletic director Jeremy Gibson and Peter Costas, along with alumni support, created a full-time rowing coach for the men’s team.

Berger then applied and was appointed to the new position.

He officially began his new position as the men’s head coach in June, and since then he said he’s been impressed by the leadership of the athletes and captains on the team.

Senior John Deutch said when he got to Lehigh as a first-year, the team’s roster was very small.

“When I got here, the men’s rowing head coach title didn’t exist,” Deutch said. “So everyone is excited about having a head coach — especially him. He has a lot of knowledge to share and a ton of experience to learn from.”

Deutch said Berger brings an organizational aspect and process-driven mindset to the sport. Rowers are receiving more instruction and more consistent direction, giving the athletes more motivation.

Since the men’s rowing team isn’t Division I, they don’t receive immediate scholarship funding, although adhering to NCAA rules. This contributes to a strong walk-on culture for the team.

Berger said the administration supports certain athletes that are being recruited, but most student-athletes are admitted due to their academics. The senior men’s rowing class had 10 recruits committed to the team, then doubled their classes size after tryouts in the fall.

Berger said people are often drawn to Lehigh for the academics, and later learn about the rowing program. Those interested either reach out to the coaches or participate in tryouts early in the year.

“Sometimes that can be helpful because it takes off some of the pressure of playing for a scholarship,” Berger said. “But we’re just as passionate as varsity sports. We practice six days a week while having flexibility to go abroad and participate in outside activities.”

Senior Colby Brogan said having Berger around is essential to having recruits want to join the program. Lehigh men’s rowing has been consistently strong and Berger draws extra interest because of his strong resume.

Berger said he considers himself an educator and a teacher, and a good coach is a good teacher.

“My background in education helps me understand what the athletes need to learn and how to best teach them,” Berger said. “I apply that to rowing so I know that the athletes are really taking in the knowledge I have to give.”

The next step for Lehigh men’s rowing is to make it back to the Head of the Charles, a race that requires a bid to be accepted. Brogan said with their hard work and the addition of Berger this season, they can make it happen.

“Our goals haven’t necessarily changed, but they’ve been more affirmed and I think they’re even more within reach now that we have such a strong head coach,” Brogan said.