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Aug. 15, 2003
CHARLOTTESVILLE – Veronika Platzer, a volunteer assistant women’s rowing coach at the University of Virginia during the 2002-03 academic year, has been named an assistant coach in the Virginia rowing program.
Platzer, a former novice lightweight coach of the women’s rowing team at the University of Wisconsin, has also coached in Australia, New Zealand and at Mercyhurst College.
“Veronika Platzer is a tremendous addition to our staff,” UVa women’s head rowing coach Kevin Sauer said. “She made a major contribution to the program last year while also holding down a full-time job. I’m really excited to have her energy around the rowing program on a full-time basis.”
A 1987 graduate of Grinnell College, Platzer was a three-time NCAA discus champion in Division III. She was voted female track and field Athlete of the Decade for Division III. She was also a member of the 1993 World Rowing Championships team, and a medalist at the 1992 Crash-B World Indoor Rowing Championships.
Platzer replaces Joel Furtek as an assistant coach. Furtek has moved into a boatman’s position with the UVa rowing program. His primary responsibilities are organizing, maintaining and transporting all equipment, including boats, oars, electronics, rowing ergometers and coach boats.
“I’m pleased to have Joel move into the boatman position,” Sauer said. “He is very skilled in this area and has wanted to focus his energies in this realm to allow the coaches more time for actual coaching of the student-athletes. Ed Eckelmeyer has been doing a great job with some of these duties part-time over the last four years and will continue to provide assistance in this area.”
Virginia finished sixth at the 2003 NCAA Women’s Rowing Championships. UVa is one of just four schools to compete in each of the seven NCAA Women’s Rowing Championships.