No Crack'in Me! (feat. Chase Graham)

Spring is here, and so is another FSP episode, featuring the new Head Coach of SMU Women's Rowing, Chase Graham. The former Associate Head Coach and Recruiting Coordinator of the Duke Blue Devils made his way over to the Hilltop in July of 2023, where he now sits at the helm of the program coaching the Mustangs in Dallas, Texas.

Hudson and Chase elaborate more on the move from North Carolina to Texas and recent changes with conference realignment, and how he sees the role that SMU will play in the Atlantic Coast Conference, better known as the "ACC" come the Fall of 2024. Having coached in the ACC for eight years, Graham covers how hard it will be to compete against the talent pool in the ACC now that Cal, Stanford & SMU will add on, his recruitment strategy, upgrade in facilities, and answering our "Q&A" from the supporters of the brand. Be sure to tune into the first ever interview of the new Head Coach of SMU Women's Rowing, Chase Graham!

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From Mic’d Up in the Erg Room to the podcast, Head Coach of Syracuse Women’s Rowing, Luke McGee, joins us here at the For Stars Podcast for some fun. 

To close out the month of February, Hudson & Luke dive into the upcoming spring season, going over conference realignment and the three new powerhouses (Cal, SMU & Stanford) being added to the ACC next fall. We talk all things Syracuse Women’s Rowing, answering a plethora of recruitment questions, going over how imperative strong team culture means to a squad, touching on the static and dynamic erg, and ultimately what Cuse has to offer to it’s student-athletes. 

McGee graduated from Brown University where he rowed on the Men’s Heavyweight team, along with the United States Under-23 National Team, and eventually on the Senior team, post-college rowing. A coach for the University of Washington for five years, as well as coming back to Rhode Island to coach for his alma-mater at Brown, McGee is dedicated to the sport of rowing. Nonetheless, the development of his athletes, an important quality in his coaching efforts. Be sure to tune in!

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As we approach the tail-end of the month of February, we bring you an episode with the Head Coach of Dartmouth Men’s Lightweight Rowing, Trevor Michelson, who is also apart of the coaching staff for the United States Under-23 Men’s Sweep Group. 

Hudson & Trevor get into several topics surrounding the team, overall team culture, recruitment for lightweight rowing, and the unfortunate cut of the program several years ago. Be sure to tune into this episode, especially if you are passionate about lightweight men’s rowing at the D1 level and the upcoming season for the D150’s.

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On this week's podcast we bring you the Co-Founder of AllMarkOne, Rory Cruickshank, former coxswain at Oxford Brookes University. We touch on the overall backstory behind the brand and taking the lessons learned from rowing into the inner workings of running a business. Rory's impact on UK Rowing has been monumental through creating more exposure (no pun intended) in his team's photography and media content as a whole. 

Cruickshank made his way through the Oxford Brookes Men's circuit (2018-2021) and coxed his crews at some of the largest regattas in the world, coming on top during his last year with the team. Hudson and Rory speak about his winning time at the British Universities and Colleges Sport Championships, "BUCS" with a time of 5:31.

Devoting all his time and energy into AllMarkOne instead of going 50/50 with rowing and work ultimately skyrocketed his career to an entirely different dimension. Rory's determination to reign in his home country isn't hard to identify. Be sure to tune into this "Bucket of Bliss"!

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All eight, sit ready… ROW! A call you may hear from one in the 9th seat. Hudson decided to bring on one of the best and most successful coxswains in the history of American Rowing, Mary Whipple! 

On this week’s episode on For Stars Podcast, we dive deep into the connection one has with their crew, taking the lessons you learn from crew into your family life and the workforce, but most important, truly loving what the sport has to offer to it’s participants, and fighting for what you want both in sports and ordinary life. 

Mary competed in three Olympic Games, winning Gold in 2008 & 2012 in the Women’s Eight, and Silver in 2004 at the Athens games. Winning five world championships (‘02, ‘06, ‘07, ‘10, and ‘11) she cemented herself as a LEGEND. A Sacramento Native, Mary coxed with her twin sister, Sarah, at Capital Crew up until college where she joined the University of Washington Women’s Rowing Team, winning a National Title in 1999, 2000, and 2001, as well as a victory from the prestigious Henley Royal Regatta in the year 2000.

Mary has stepped into the role as a Sports Broadcaster, announcing over several NCAA Women’s Rowing Championships, and being the founder of the “9th Seat” an organization set on giving young coxswains a chance to learn how to improve one’s skills in the saddle through knowledge and confidence.

This episode is extremely insightful, so sit back and tune into what Mary & Hudson dive into!

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A little over 26 weeks away from the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, Hudson sat down with Mike Grady, a 2020 Tokyo Olympian competing on the US National Team.

Grady graduated from Cornell University in 2019, where he rowed under Todd Kennett ‘91, on the Men’s Heavyweight team. The connection that he shares with his teammates is evident when surrounded by each other… brotherhood, as some coin it. Nonetheless, the bonds he has created with the guys that he’s been able to row with along the years, whether that be at Central Catholic, Cornell, the U19, U23, and even Senior National Team, is one to none.

Everyone has their own favorite qualities of crew, but for Mike, it is the opportunity to race. We discuss the overall dynamics of California Rowing Club, coached by Mike Teti, Skip Kielt & Tim McLaren, impact of Justin Best (a pair partner and boatmate of his prior to college), and more! Be sure to tune into this week’s episode, “Gritty Like Grady”!

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Two years of FSP, and we want to wish you all a Happy New Year! 2024 is going to be filled with exciting content and expansion! On today's episode, Hudson brings on Head Coach of Cornell Men's Heavyweight Rowing, Todd Kennett '91. Coach Kennett, currently in Orlando on his team's Winter Training Trip, dives deep into recruiting and scouting talent along with the search for coxswains, along with reminiscing on the talent of athletes he has coached, even assembling a roster of guys who could assemble an exceptional eight! We answer the questions from the supporters in our Q&A, along with where the IRA could be going in the near future.

Kennett has been at the helm of the Heavyweight program since 2008, but started coaching at Cornell since 1992, where he started as a Volunteer Assistant for the Women. In 1994, he became the Assistant Coach for the Heavyweight Men's team, then in '95, was the Assistant for the Lightweight team until 1998. In '99, he was elevated to his first Head Coaching position of the C150's until 2008. It's easy to say he is surely loyal to the soil.

Tune into a great conversation highlighting the start to the Spring Season for Men's Collegiate Rowing!

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Embarking on another episode here at For Stars Podcast, we bring you an insightful pod featuring USRowing's Chief High Performance Officer, Josy Verdonkschot, a highly-touted rowing coach leading boats to Gold on the Olympic stage. Starting coaching in 1987, Josy grew up in the Netherlands, but came to the United States in 2022, working full-time for USRowing. He oversees all of the high performance clubs such as, California Rowing Club (CRC), Princeton Training Center, and all others in the US, even including the Under-19 and Under-23 National Teams.

Hudson & Josy discuss several topics, including the rowing stroke, current role with USRowing and Pathways program, LA 2028, the 2023 Senior World Championships turnout, advice to coxswains eyeing the circuit, responding to questions from our supporters here at FSP, and more. Be sure to tune in!

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Head Coach of the Lady Vols, Kim Cupini, joins us here at For Stars Podcast. In her first year of coaching the Tennessee Volunteers, Cupini and her supportive coaching staff, took the Fall 2023 season to "amp up the volume" and focus on bringing all of the athletes together as one. 

Cupini is well-suited to lead the Lady Vols, being arguably one of the most decorated coaches in collegiate rowing. Spending over twelve years coaching the Toreros at the University of San Diego, ten as the Head Coach, she developed the women so much that prior to her culmination at the helm of the program, the women at USD finished with the highest ranking in the history of the program. Similar to USD, Kim coached up the Knights at UCF, and just recently Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas from 2017-2023.

Cupini's impact to each program she has lead is truly astronomical --- so much so that fifteen athletes from SMU, along with an additional five from other institutions, entered the NCAA Transfer Portal during the summer of 2023, in following Kim to Tennessee. Similar to the athletes, her coaching staff chose to travel to the Rocky Top as well, even including the Boatman, Randy Duffy.

Hudson and Kim speak on a variety of topics regarding her transition to Tennessee as well as clarification to several widespread rumors and thoughts from rowing enthusiasts. Cupini's primary focus is student-athlete development, seeing the progression of the person as a whole, which is completely evident in the way she speaks about her team on this episode. Be sure to tune into Head Coach of Tennessee Women's Rowing, Kim Cupini!

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A fighter - that would be name for Dr. James Clark, a Washington native who spends his time breaking the barrier and defeating the odds day in and day out. Clark, a graduate and professor at the University of Washington, who was a member of the Men's Rowing Team on Carnegie Lake, took on the challenge of competing with the most historical and well-known crew team located in the Pacific Northwest. A large Power-5 conference school in the PAC-12, the UW is known for excellence both on and off the water. James was and still remains to be a positive influence on the world around him adding to the initiative of overcoming obstacles in order to live an ordinary life filled with enjoyment and the willingness to succeed in tough situations. Clark was the runner-up for the 1991 USRowing National Coach of the Year, adding to how much of an impact he makes on individuals, especially the youth. 

At just 17 years of age, Clark was hit in a head on collision that led to his leg needing to be amputated. All through that, and shortly years later he found himself trying out for the men's crew team. Nothing was going to stop Clark from chasing his goals, and one of them was to be a member of the Husky Rowing team. As time went on and cuts needed to be made, Clark was faced with having to adapt his rowing stroke as he wore a prosthesis. 

We talk about how to take on adversity and the mindset of living a fulfilled life even with the absence of a leg. Clark hones in on his thoughts on international rowers on US Collegiate teams, as well as his new book that he has been working on diligently, which he aims it to be called, "In The Hunt". Tune into this inspirational episode comprised of wisdom and love for the sport of rowing!

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