ABOUT ME

About ME

About ME

My Journey in Rowing: From Athlete to Coach and Recruiter

I have always had a deep passion for sports, and throughout my life, I’ve played a variety of them. However, it wasn’t until high school that I found my true calling and began rowing at Rowing Club Jadran. I had the privilege of competing at both the national and international levels, earning a spot on the Croatian National Team. My rowing journey took me to Dowling College, where I was recruited to row and earned my Bachelor’s degree in Business Management.

After graduation, I continued my academic and athletic pursuits at the University of Kansas, where I earned a Master’s degree in Public Administration and served as a Graduate Assistant for the rowing team. Upon completing my studies, I returned to Croatia to explore professional opportunities and began coaching part-time at Rowing Club Jadran. There, I had the chance to work with athletes of all levels. This experience was incredibly fulfilling as I witnessed firsthand the profound impact that coaching can have—not only on athletic performance but also on mental resilience and personal growth. During this time, I realized that coaching was my true passion. Sadly, I also recognized that the opportunities for rowing in Croatia were limited.

Determined to continue growing as a coach, I moved back to the United States and began coaching at Barry University. I was fortunate to be part of a team that won the NCAA Division II Championship. I also earned a Master’s degree in Movement Science, further refining my understanding of athlete’s development and performance. Later, I had the privilege of coaching at the University of Southern California (USC), where I discovered a passion for recruiting and further honed my abilities to build strong, personal relationships with athletes and parents. At USC, I recruited top athletes from elite U.S. rowing clubs such as RYE, CRF, Greenwich, Saugatuck, Newport…, as well as from some of the most prominent rowing nations around the world, including Canada, Great Britain, Germany, Australia, Italy, Denmark, the Czech Republic… This experience gave me a unique, global perspective on the recruiting process and underscored the importance of finding the right academic and athletic fit for each athlete!

Throughout my career, I’ve had the privilege of collaborating with some of the best coaches and athletes from around the world, ranging from those at the national level to Olympians. These experiences have provided invaluable insights into all aspects of rowing—from foundational development to elite competition. The friendships I’ve built along the way are priceless, and the lessons I’ve learned continue to shape my approach to coaching and recruiting. Today, I’m dedicated to using my knowledge and experience to help athletes navigate the recruiting process and reach their best rowing performance!

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Photo Gallery

Athlete Success

My Purpose

Whether a student-athletes’s goal is to improve their 2k time, enhance boat speed, or find the best college program, my purpose is to provide expert consulting, structured feedback, and consistent support. I strive to help athletes make well-informed decisions that foster long-term growth—both in their sport and beyond—setting them up for success both on and off the water.
achievement

My goals

My Philosophy

At the heart of my philosophy is a commitment to each athlete’s personal growth and development. I am dedicated to not just improving their rowing technique and recruiting but also equipping them with the tools they need to thrive in their academic and athletic careers. By offering a combination of expert training, strategic advice, and consistent mentorship, I aim to set my student-athletes up for success, both on and off the water!