Berger And Iliadis Join Lehigh Rowing Coaching Staff
12/11/2025 3:06:00 PM | Men's Rowing, Women's Rowing
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Steven J. '69 & Karen A. Lee head rowing coach Peter Costas has announced two additions to the men's and women's rowing coaching staffs ahead of the 2026 spring season. Wayne Berger will join the Mountain Hawks as an assistant women's rowing coach while Nick Iliadis wills serve as assistant coach and operations coordinator for both the men's and women's programs.
Berger brings decades of championship-level experience across scholastic, collegiate, club, and international rowing, including three IRA national championships, five Eastern Sprints titles, and two Ladies' Plate victories at the Henley Royal Regatta during his tenure at Harvard. He has also led crews to NEIRA titles, Youth Nationals success, and Henley finals while coaching at Groton School and Deerfield Academy.
Beyond his scholastic and collegiate achievements, Berger founded the Boston Rowing Club, guiding crews to multiple Royal Canadian Henley and USRowing Club national championships. Internationally, he served as U.S. Men's Junior National Team coach, worked with elite lightweight crews that earned a World Championship bronze, and contributed to the U.S. Paralympic mixed four that won silver in Tokyo. A longtime educator of both athletes and coaches, Berger emphasizes a process-focused approach rooted in consistency, hard work, and community.
"We are thrilled to welcome Wayne to the Lehigh Rowing staff," said Costas. "His experience and results speak for themselves, with proven success at the junior, collegiate, national, and international levels. Wayne is an exceptional fit for our culture of curiosity, collaboration, and innovation. I'm excited for our student-athletes to learn from him and for this next major step in Lehigh becoming one of the preeminent places to learn the sport of rowing."
Iliadis joins the Mountain Hawks after serving as interim head coach of Nova Southeastern University women's rowing, where he guided the program to a standout 2024–25 campaign. During his tenure, NSU captured multiple titles at the 2025 FIRA Championships, including wins in the lightweight 4+ and women's 2x, a silver medal in the women's F/N4+, a victory over Miami at the Miami International Regatta, and a third-place finish at the Knecht Cup. The Sharks also earned a top-eight national ranking in NCAA Division II from the CRCA under his leadership.
Prior to Nova Southeastern, Iliadis spent two seasons as an assistant coach with Franklin & Marshall, helping both the men's and women's programs achieve success at major regattas such as the Dad Vail, Knecht Cup, and the Head of the Schuylkill. A former Division I rower at La Salle University, Iliadis brings firsthand competitive experience along with USRowing Level 2 certification and a strong background in program operations, athlete development, and technical coaching. He holds a bachelor's degree in political science from La Salle.
"Thrilled to bring Nick on board," said Costas. "He brings experience, critical expertise, and a clear love of the sport."
Like Lehigh Rowing on Facebook, follow on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram for continued updates on the Mountain Hawks.
Berger brings decades of championship-level experience across scholastic, collegiate, club, and international rowing, including three IRA national championships, five Eastern Sprints titles, and two Ladies' Plate victories at the Henley Royal Regatta during his tenure at Harvard. He has also led crews to NEIRA titles, Youth Nationals success, and Henley finals while coaching at Groton School and Deerfield Academy.
Beyond his scholastic and collegiate achievements, Berger founded the Boston Rowing Club, guiding crews to multiple Royal Canadian Henley and USRowing Club national championships. Internationally, he served as U.S. Men's Junior National Team coach, worked with elite lightweight crews that earned a World Championship bronze, and contributed to the U.S. Paralympic mixed four that won silver in Tokyo. A longtime educator of both athletes and coaches, Berger emphasizes a process-focused approach rooted in consistency, hard work, and community.
"We are thrilled to welcome Wayne to the Lehigh Rowing staff," said Costas. "His experience and results speak for themselves, with proven success at the junior, collegiate, national, and international levels. Wayne is an exceptional fit for our culture of curiosity, collaboration, and innovation. I'm excited for our student-athletes to learn from him and for this next major step in Lehigh becoming one of the preeminent places to learn the sport of rowing."
Iliadis joins the Mountain Hawks after serving as interim head coach of Nova Southeastern University women's rowing, where he guided the program to a standout 2024–25 campaign. During his tenure, NSU captured multiple titles at the 2025 FIRA Championships, including wins in the lightweight 4+ and women's 2x, a silver medal in the women's F/N4+, a victory over Miami at the Miami International Regatta, and a third-place finish at the Knecht Cup. The Sharks also earned a top-eight national ranking in NCAA Division II from the CRCA under his leadership.
Prior to Nova Southeastern, Iliadis spent two seasons as an assistant coach with Franklin & Marshall, helping both the men's and women's programs achieve success at major regattas such as the Dad Vail, Knecht Cup, and the Head of the Schuylkill. A former Division I rower at La Salle University, Iliadis brings firsthand competitive experience along with USRowing Level 2 certification and a strong background in program operations, athlete development, and technical coaching. He holds a bachelor's degree in political science from La Salle.
"Thrilled to bring Nick on board," said Costas. "He brings experience, critical expertise, and a clear love of the sport."
Like Lehigh Rowing on Facebook, follow on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram for continued updates on the Mountain Hawks.
Rowing Season Preview
Friday, March 28
Lehigh Sports Central: Rowing
Wednesday, April 24
