Wisconsin Names Ela Interim Director of Women's Crew
February 20, 2004 | Lightweight Rowing
Former University of Wisconsin women's rowing coach Sue Ela has been named Wisconsin's Interim Director of Women's Crew. Ela, who will begin her duties on March 1, replaces Maren LaLiberty, who resigned as Wisconsin's women 's rowing coach earlier this month.
Ela previously had a 24-year association with the program, which began as a UW student-athlete from 1972'75. A member of the school's first varsity eight national championship boat in 1975, she went on to serve three years as an assistant rowing coach before taking over as head coach in 1979. She held the head coaching position for 18 years, wrapping up her career in the spring of 1997.
As a UW assistant coach, her novice crews went unbeaten in three years of competition. During her tenure as head coach, the Badger varsity openweight eight won the 1986 national championship, and posted top-five national finishes in 12 of 18 seasons. Her varsity eight crews went unbeaten at the Midwest Rowing Championships and won two Eastern Sprints titles, as well as a Head of the Charles and San Diego Crew Classic championship. Coach of the first U.S. National Women's Lightweight Team that won gold at the 1981 Canadian Henley Rowing Championship, Ela was honored by USRowing as the 'Woman of the Year' in 1989. She was also recognized as the 1995 Eastern Association of Women's Rowing Colleges (EAWRC) Coach of the Year.
'I'm pleased to be able to help transition [the program] this spring,' Ela commented. 'I'm looking forward to working with what I consider to be a very talented group of assistant coaches. '
Ela will oversee a staff that includes Nicole Borges, coach of the openweight varsity; Marina Traub, the openweight novice coach; Mary Shofner, the program 's lightweight varsity coach; and Dusty Darley, coach of the lightweight novices.
Ela's appointment will last until June 1. Wisconsin will conduct a national search in April for a permanent head coach.
