Macfarlane hired as women’s novice openweight rowing coach
July 13, 2017 | Women's Rowing
Three-time Badger letterwinner returns to her alma mater for second time
MADISON, Wis. – Former Wisconsin women's rower and women's assistant coach Laura Macfarlane is returning to Madison to become the Badgers new novice openweight coach. She officially begins her duties on Aug. 1.
Head coach Bebe Bryans announced the hiring on Thursday.
"I am extremely excited to bring Laura Macfarlane back to Lake Mendota and the Badger Rowing Family," Bryans said. "Laura has a deep understanding of what it takes to be successful here, and what a unique and fabulous place the University of Wisconsin is."
The well-traveled Macfarlane is a graduate of Wisconsin, earning her bachelor of science degree in cartography and geographic information systems in 2000.
The Baldwin native rowed as part of the Badger openweight program from 1995-99, and was named 1999 Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association First-Team All-Region. She also was the team's Graves Family Award winner, an honor selected by her teammates for her contributions to the success of the team. Her accomplishments as a Badger included an appearance in the 1999 NCAA Championships in what was UW's first appearance at the event. She also rowed in the 1999 Royal Henley in England following that collegiate season.
Macfarlane continued her rowing career at UW after graduation as the student assistant coach for the 1999-2000, before moving on to coach at Sacramento State (2000-2001). She returned to coach at Wisconsin for the 2001-2002 season, then moved on to Iowa (2002-2006) and Northeastern (2006-2009). Throughout her coaching career she focused on the development of the freshmen squads, development of the strength programs and assisting with recruiting efforts.
Macfarlane has also been involved with the C.R.A.S.H.-B World Indoor Rowing Championships in varying capacities since 2006, including serving as commodore since 2012, which involved coordinating the event's logistics for over 2000 competitors and 5000 spectators and overseeing the Board of Directors.
Outside of rowing, Macfarlane spent her time since 2009 as a coach in the travel world, hiring, training and developing regional trip leaders around the globe while working for National Geographic Expeditions and Grand Circle Corporation.
"As the freshman openweight coach, Laura will help the new Badger rowers discover what Wisconsin rowing is all about, what this team is capable of, and how each one of them will be able to inspire themselves and their teammates every day," Bryans said. "She has coached all over the country and traveled the world, so her perspective and experiences will help us continue to grow as a staff and help our women look beyond what they think is possible. We can't wait to get started!"
