Bryans part of 2023 CRCA Hall of Fame class
November 16, 2023 | Women's Rowing, Lightweight Rowing
UW's 19-year women's rowing coach officially inducted in December
MADISON, Wis. – Retiring after 19 years as the head coach of Wisconsin women's rowing this past spring, Bebe Bryans has been named one of two people who will be inducted into the 2023 Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association (CRCA) Hall of Fame this December.
Bryans, along with Robin Meiggs, will go in as the 22nd and 23rd members during the Conference for Rowing Coaches at Sarasota Springs, New York, from Dec. 8-10, 2023.
Since 1988, Bryans has steered the course of four collegiate rowing programs, leaving an indelible mark on the landscape of NCAA women's rowing. Her teams boast an impressive 23 NCAA appearances, a testament to her leadership prowess. Recently retired, Bryans led the Badgers to 15 NCAA appearances. As the founding head coach at Michigan State (seven NCAA appearances) and the trailblazer who guided Georgetown University to the inaugural NCAA championships in 1997, Bryans' legacy is etched in the history of collegiate rowing.
"Over the course of my career, I have been surrounded by an amazing group of coaches who believed in our mission and worked tirelessly to bring that to our women," Bryans said. "I am so very grateful for them, and for the women who went all in with what we were doing. I feel extremely fortunate and humbled."
During the 18 competition seasons in her 19 years at Wisconsin, the Badgers claimed 12 top-three finishes at the Big Ten championships, including UW's first Big Ten title in 2010. That same season, UW placed seventh at the NCAA championships, the school's best finish to date. The Badgers posted five top-10 NCAA finishes during Bryans' tenure.
Bryans also oversaw the Badger women's lightweight program, which won four Intercollegiate Rowing Association (IRA) lightweight eight national championships and 10 total IRA boat titles since her arrival in 2004.
In addition to team success, 16 of her openweight rowers earned 17 All-America honors while 37 rowers totaled 40 All-Big Ten accolades. Three Badger rowers won Big Ten Freshman of the Year throughout her time at UW. She also boasts a pair of Big Ten Coach of the Year awards while a Badger.
On the international stage, 16 of her openweights rowed on national teams, while three of those reached the highest level of competition as Olympians.
For the lightweights, 19Â individuals earned 25 All-America honors, while eight rowed on the international stage and one at the Olympics.
The rowing program excelled in the classroom as well, with Academic All-Big Ten rowers numbering in the hundreds over her time at UW, while more than 70 of her charges earned Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association National Scholar Athlete awards during her 19 years.
Before her notable collegiate coaching career, Bryans served as the founder, executive director, and head coach of the Pacific Rowing Club from 1980-92. Her involvement extended to the USA Women's National Rowing Team in 1985, where she led the 1992 women's eight to a historic bronze medal at the Junior World Championships. A record-breaking achievement, Bryans is the only rowing coach in history to have led three different programs to the NCAA rowing championships. Bebe Bryans leaves a lasting legacy of competitive spirit, passion, and selfless dedication, positively impacting generations of women.
Bryans joins former Badger coach Sue Ela (2008) and former Badger rower Carie Graves (2015) in the CRCA Hall of Fame. The Hall inducted its first class in 2007.
Bryans, along with Robin Meiggs, will go in as the 22nd and 23rd members during the Conference for Rowing Coaches at Sarasota Springs, New York, from Dec. 8-10, 2023.
Since 1988, Bryans has steered the course of four collegiate rowing programs, leaving an indelible mark on the landscape of NCAA women's rowing. Her teams boast an impressive 23 NCAA appearances, a testament to her leadership prowess. Recently retired, Bryans led the Badgers to 15 NCAA appearances. As the founding head coach at Michigan State (seven NCAA appearances) and the trailblazer who guided Georgetown University to the inaugural NCAA championships in 1997, Bryans' legacy is etched in the history of collegiate rowing.
"Over the course of my career, I have been surrounded by an amazing group of coaches who believed in our mission and worked tirelessly to bring that to our women," Bryans said. "I am so very grateful for them, and for the women who went all in with what we were doing. I feel extremely fortunate and humbled."
During the 18 competition seasons in her 19 years at Wisconsin, the Badgers claimed 12 top-three finishes at the Big Ten championships, including UW's first Big Ten title in 2010. That same season, UW placed seventh at the NCAA championships, the school's best finish to date. The Badgers posted five top-10 NCAA finishes during Bryans' tenure.
Bryans also oversaw the Badger women's lightweight program, which won four Intercollegiate Rowing Association (IRA) lightweight eight national championships and 10 total IRA boat titles since her arrival in 2004.
In addition to team success, 16 of her openweight rowers earned 17 All-America honors while 37 rowers totaled 40 All-Big Ten accolades. Three Badger rowers won Big Ten Freshman of the Year throughout her time at UW. She also boasts a pair of Big Ten Coach of the Year awards while a Badger.
On the international stage, 16 of her openweights rowed on national teams, while three of those reached the highest level of competition as Olympians.
For the lightweights, 19Â individuals earned 25 All-America honors, while eight rowed on the international stage and one at the Olympics.
The rowing program excelled in the classroom as well, with Academic All-Big Ten rowers numbering in the hundreds over her time at UW, while more than 70 of her charges earned Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association National Scholar Athlete awards during her 19 years.
Before her notable collegiate coaching career, Bryans served as the founder, executive director, and head coach of the Pacific Rowing Club from 1980-92. Her involvement extended to the USA Women's National Rowing Team in 1985, where she led the 1992 women's eight to a historic bronze medal at the Junior World Championships. A record-breaking achievement, Bryans is the only rowing coach in history to have led three different programs to the NCAA rowing championships. Bebe Bryans leaves a lasting legacy of competitive spirit, passion, and selfless dedication, positively impacting generations of women.
Bryans joins former Badger coach Sue Ela (2008) and former Badger rower Carie Graves (2015) in the CRCA Hall of Fame. The Hall inducted its first class in 2007.
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