Lehigh University Athletics
Wayne Berger Named First Full-Time Men's Rowing Head Coach In Program History
6/24/2026 3:49:00 PM | Men's Rowing
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Lehigh University Athletics is proud to announce the appointment of Wayne M. Berger as the first full-time Men's Rowing Head Coach and Rowing Camps Director. A USRowing Level 3 Certified Coach with over 35 years of elite coaching and educational leadership experience, Berger transitions into this historic role after joining the Mountain Hawks' coaching staff this past season.
"We are thrilled to officially welcome Wayne Berger as Lehigh's first full-time Head Men's Club Rowing Coach," said Steven J. '69 & Karen A. Lee Director of Rowing Peter Costas. "This moment would not be possible without the generosity and belief of our alumni, families, friends, and administrators whose support helped create this position and invest in the future of our student-athletes."
"Wayne is an exceptional teacher, a proven developer of athletes, and a mentor who has a passion for helping students build confidence, pursue excellence, and achieve success academically and athletically," Costas continued. "Wayne is a perfect fit for Lehigh University."
"Bringing someone of Wayne's caliber to the boathouse is a great step for the program and moves us closer to the vision of Lehigh being among the best places in the country to master rowing," said Costas. "We are excited for what lies ahead for the program. Fly Hawks."
Throughout his distinguished career, Berger has guided crews to the sport's most prestigious prizes. His collegiate and scholastic resume features three IRA National Championships and five Eastern Sprints Championships during his tenure at Harvard University, alongside two NEIRA championships and a Princess Elizabeth Cup semi-finalist appearance at the Henley Royal Regatta. As a club coach, he founded the Boston Rowing Club, leading crews to seven Royal Canadian Henley Regatta championships, including the overall points trophy, and four titles at the USRowing Club National Championships.
On the international stage, Berger served as the U.S. Men's Junior National Team Head Coach, assisted elite lightweight crews to a bronze medal at the World Championships, and helped coach the U.S. Paralympic mixed four with coxswain to a silver medal at the Tokyo Olympic Games.
Berger expressed immense gratitude and excitement for the opportunity to lead the program forward. "I want to extend my deepest thanks to Dean of Athletics Jeremy Gibson and the entire senior leadership team at Lehigh for their trust, vision, and commitment to the future of men's rowing," said Berger. "Stepping into this role full-time is an incredible honor, and I am eager to build upon the strong foundation already in place."
Reflecting on his time with the program, Berger noted the exceptional culture brewing within the boathouse. "During my time here, I have been profoundly impressed by the sheer quality, grit, and dedication of the student-athletes at Lehigh. They bring an admirable work ethic to the water every single day. Furthermore, I am incredibly fortunate to collaborate with such a stellar coaching staff. Working alongside Peter and the assistant coaches has been a masterclass in alignment and shared vision. Their leadership has set a high standard, and together, we are committed to elevating this program."
For Berger, a graduate of Cornell University and Harvard University, the racing shell is a natural extension of the classroom. His coaching philosophy integrates high-level athletic performance with holistic personal growth.
 "Rowing is the ultimate team sport; it demands absolute synchronization, resilience, and accountability," said Berger. "But the true value of collegiate athletics lies in how these lessons shape character off the water. My goal is to foster a process-focused environment where rigorous athletic pursuit complements academic excellence. We aren't just training fast oarsmen; we are mentoring critical thinkers, leaders, and men of high integrity who will carry the lessons of the boathouse into world."
Like Lehigh Rowing on Facebook, follow on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram for continued updates on the Mountain Hawks.
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"We are thrilled to officially welcome Wayne Berger as Lehigh's first full-time Head Men's Club Rowing Coach," said Steven J. '69 & Karen A. Lee Director of Rowing Peter Costas. "This moment would not be possible without the generosity and belief of our alumni, families, friends, and administrators whose support helped create this position and invest in the future of our student-athletes."
"Wayne is an exceptional teacher, a proven developer of athletes, and a mentor who has a passion for helping students build confidence, pursue excellence, and achieve success academically and athletically," Costas continued. "Wayne is a perfect fit for Lehigh University."
"Bringing someone of Wayne's caliber to the boathouse is a great step for the program and moves us closer to the vision of Lehigh being among the best places in the country to master rowing," said Costas. "We are excited for what lies ahead for the program. Fly Hawks."
Throughout his distinguished career, Berger has guided crews to the sport's most prestigious prizes. His collegiate and scholastic resume features three IRA National Championships and five Eastern Sprints Championships during his tenure at Harvard University, alongside two NEIRA championships and a Princess Elizabeth Cup semi-finalist appearance at the Henley Royal Regatta. As a club coach, he founded the Boston Rowing Club, leading crews to seven Royal Canadian Henley Regatta championships, including the overall points trophy, and four titles at the USRowing Club National Championships.
On the international stage, Berger served as the U.S. Men's Junior National Team Head Coach, assisted elite lightweight crews to a bronze medal at the World Championships, and helped coach the U.S. Paralympic mixed four with coxswain to a silver medal at the Tokyo Olympic Games.
Berger expressed immense gratitude and excitement for the opportunity to lead the program forward. "I want to extend my deepest thanks to Dean of Athletics Jeremy Gibson and the entire senior leadership team at Lehigh for their trust, vision, and commitment to the future of men's rowing," said Berger. "Stepping into this role full-time is an incredible honor, and I am eager to build upon the strong foundation already in place."
Reflecting on his time with the program, Berger noted the exceptional culture brewing within the boathouse. "During my time here, I have been profoundly impressed by the sheer quality, grit, and dedication of the student-athletes at Lehigh. They bring an admirable work ethic to the water every single day. Furthermore, I am incredibly fortunate to collaborate with such a stellar coaching staff. Working alongside Peter and the assistant coaches has been a masterclass in alignment and shared vision. Their leadership has set a high standard, and together, we are committed to elevating this program."
For Berger, a graduate of Cornell University and Harvard University, the racing shell is a natural extension of the classroom. His coaching philosophy integrates high-level athletic performance with holistic personal growth.
 "Rowing is the ultimate team sport; it demands absolute synchronization, resilience, and accountability," said Berger. "But the true value of collegiate athletics lies in how these lessons shape character off the water. My goal is to foster a process-focused environment where rigorous athletic pursuit complements academic excellence. We aren't just training fast oarsmen; we are mentoring critical thinkers, leaders, and men of high integrity who will carry the lessons of the boathouse into world."
Like Lehigh Rowing on Facebook, follow on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram for continued updates on the Mountain Hawks.
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