TACOMA, Wash. – Puget Sound Athletics has hired Seattle native Aaron Benson as the next head coach of the men's and women's crew programs. Benson, who has been coaching at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), comes with nearly a decade of collegiate coaching experience.
"I am thrilled to join Puget Sound and to return home to the Northwest," said Benson. "Rowing has a strong tradition in the region, and the Logger crew program has played an important role in that history. The school, staff, and student-athletes are all of the highest caliber, and I look forward to working with them to build a vibrant future for the team."
Most recently Benson has spent seven years as an assistant on the women's rowing team at MIT. He has helped turn around the women's program at MIT with a strong recruiting effort that has increased the depth and talent of the Engineers.
Although Benson will come to Puget Sound from Cambridge, Mass., he is no stranger to the Northwest. Benson is a native of Seattle, where he began his passion for rowing at the Pocock Rowing Center. He attended Willamette University, where he rowed for four years.
"Aaron is a great addition to our program, bringing a wealth of experience, a strong understanding and appreciation for Pacific Northwest rowing and an eagerness to continue to raise the competitive profile of our men's and women's rowing programs," said Director of Athletics Amy Hackett.
In addition to his duties at MIT, Benson served as director of the US Rowing Boston Development Camp, which placed multiple boats in the grand finals of the USRowing Club National Championships.
"When the University of Puget Sound's rowing position opened up and the job description was posted, there was a match made in heaven if you will," said MIT's women's openweight crew head coach Holly Metcalf. "Aaron Benson has the vision, the energy, the patience, and the competence to bring this program to the next level."
Prior to his arrival at MIT, Benson was an assistant coach at Ithaca College. While there, he helped lead the Bombers women's crew team to back-to-back NCAA Division III national championships in 2004 and 2005.
Benson holds a bachelor's degree in exercise science from Willamette and a master's degree in exercise physiology from Ithaca. He also has a Level III USRowing certification and is an NSCA certified strength & conditioning specialist.
Benson will officially begin at Puget Sound on August 13. The Loggers women's squad made a 10th consecutive appearance at the NCAA Championships in 2012 as the representative of the Pacific region, while a youthful men's squad showed substantial growth throughout the season.
Kellyn Tate Selected As Next Head Softball Coach
"I am thoroughly excited to have this opportunity to serve as Puget Sound's head coach," said Tate. "The minute I walked onto campus, I could tell that excellence is important in every aspect. That is what I'm hoping to bring to the softball program within the highly competitive Northwest Conference."
Tate comes to Puget Sound with a wealth of experience and a track record for success. Her 14 years of coaching experience included stops at Portland State, Miami (Ohio), Texas Tech and Penn State. As an assistant coach, Tate has helped lead five of her teams to the NCAA Tournament and mentored several All-Region and All-America players.
"Kellyn will infuse a great amount of positive energy to our program," said Director of Athletics Amy Hackett. "She is a highly motivated and driven individual, which is evident by her playing and coaching success."
Most recently Tate has helped the Portland State Vikings to back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances. She has served as the recruiting coordinator for the Vikings over the past three years in addition to working primarily with the outfielders and hitters.
While at Miami (Ohio), Tate also worked with the hitters and outfielders, while helping the team to an NCAA Tournament appearance in 2009. In 2000, she helped the Nittany Lions of Penn State to an NCAA Tournament appearance.
"Puget Sound is getting a fantastic coach! Kellyn has enthusiasm for the game and dedication to the student-athlete experience that can be matched by few," said current Ohio State and former Miami (Ohio) head softball coach Kelly Kovach Shoenly. "She is dynamic, knowledgeable, and competitive. This is a great selection for Puget Sound."
Tate's record of success reaches back to her days as a player at the University of Michigan. There she led Michigan to four appearances in the Women's College World Series (1995-98) and three Big Ten Championships (1995-96, 98). She was a three-time All-Great Lakes Region and All-Big Ten selection.
After completing her bachelor's degree at Michigan, Tate went on to play professionally from 1998 to 2004 in the Women's Professional Softball League. She played for the Orlando, Wahoos, Akron Racers, and the WPF Sacramento Sunbirds.
Tate completed her Master of Higher Education degree at Texas Tech where she coached from 2003 to 2006.
She will officially start as the Loggers' Head Coach on August 1. Last year the Loggers finished the season with a 3-31 overall record and seventh in the Northwest Conference.