OCU Athletics name Bryan Volpenhein as Head Rowing Coach

OKLAHOMA CITY –  Oklahoma City University Athletics announces on Tuesday the hiring of Head men’s and women’s rowing coach Bryan Volpenhein who will be taking over for Cory Conzemus who was with the program since the 2021-22 season.

Volpenhein comes to OCU after serving as the Head Coach at the University of Pennsylvania for the men’s rowing team from 2019-22. While leading the Quakers,  Volpenhein was the head coach for the San Diego Rowing Club men’s varsity program, where he prepared high school athletes for regional and national championships.

“I am extremely excited to announce that Bryan Volpenhein will be the next head coach of our men’s and women’s rowing programs,” Oklahoma City Athletic Director Corey Bray said. “Bryan is a legend in the sport as both an Olympic medalist and an Olympic team coach and we are very fortunate to have him joining OCU athletics.  Bryan’s experience developing high-caliber rowers combined with his ability to recruit excellent prospective student-athletes will create a strong foundation for the future success of our rowing programs.  Please join me in welcoming Bryan to the Home of Champions!”

Volpenhein also spent one year as the technical director for the men’s rowing program at the University of San Diego. The Cincinnati, Ohio native has additional experience as head coach for the Oklahoma City National High-Performance Center from 2010-13 and head coach of the Pocock Rowing Center in Seattle from 2008-10.

“I’m very grateful for this opportunity and I’m looking forward to working with the wonderful athletes and staff at OCU,” said Volpenhein. “It’s exciting to be back at the boathouse and working every day to help the OCU athletes achieve their goals. It’s great to be a part of such a unique and committed rowing community!”

A three-time Olympian who stroked the United States to a gold medal in 2004, Volpenhein arrived at Penn with high-level experience as the United States National Team Coach, where he selected and trained the men’s four for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games and led three boats to gold medals during international competition.

Director of River Operations Mike Knopp mentioned, “As the founder of OCU Rowing, I could not be more thrilled by the opportunity to have American rowing legend Bryan Volpenhein serve as our next head coach, ushering in a new exciting era for Oklahoma City University as we compete on a national level and advance the high-performance initiatives that are central to our world-class facilities as a US Olympic and Paralympic Training Site.” Knopp goes on to say, “As the winningest male Olympic rower in the history of the sport of rowing and former US National Team Head Coach,  Bryan knows the meaning of grit, teamwork, and sportsmanship like none other and presents an unbelievable opportunity for our program that perfectly complements the continued exciting momentum surrounding the Oklahoma River.”

The only two-time US Rowing Male Athlete of the Year, Volpenhein represented the United States in the 2000, 2004, and 2008 Olympic Games and was also a ten-time member of the United States National Team.

“We are thrilled to welcome Bryan Volpenhein back in the Devon Boathouse!” said Reilly Dampeer, Head Coach of the Oklahoma City National High-Performance Center. “Bryan has contributed to the sport of rowing in so many ways and I am grateful that he will continue that legacy here in Oklahoma City. I support him 100% in his vision for the Oklahoma City University team.”A national leader in the sport, Volpenhein served on the US Rowing Board of Directors from 2004-08, focusing on selection procedures of the National and Olympic rowing teams.

Volpenhein began his rowing career at Ohio State University where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in philosophy in 2002. Volpenhein went on to earn a Culinary Arts Degree from The Art Institute of Seattle.

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