RINDGE, N.H. (September 6, 2017) – Franklin Pierce University Director of Athletics Rachel Burleson has announced Sarah Caruthers has been named the head coach of the University’s women’s rowing program.

“I am extremely honored to be granted the opportunity to lead this great group of women,” said Caruthers. “I am grateful to our Athletic Director, Rachel Burleson, for her support and commitment to our team. I am looking forward to meeting our student-athletes and getting to work. We are incredibly lucky to have the facilities, boats and resources to be a successful team, both on and off the water.”

Caruthers is new to collegiate coaching, but is not new to the sport of rowing, as she was associated with the prestigious Head of the Charles regatta for more than five years. Initially serving on the Race Operations Committee, she later took on a role as a consultant and manager for the regatta’s “Reunion Village” and Attager Row. In her time with the Head of the Charles, Caruthers was charged with overseeing a team of 50 volunteers, managing an area with over 6,000 spectators and serving as a liaison between patrons, vendors and the regatta’s other constituencies.

“I am pleased to welcome Sarah Caruthers as the next head coach of our rowing program,” said Burleson. “Her knowledge of our local community, as well as the New England rowing community, can only benefit our program. Her background in both fundraising and oversight of major projects showcases a well-rounded professional, and I am confident she will help our program succeed in the boat, in the classroom and in the community.”

Caruthers also brings significant administrative experience from the professional sports world with her to Rindge. She previously spent nearly four years (2011-15) with the Boston Red Sox in a variety of roles. In her time with the club, Caruthers spent time as an Executive Assistant and coordinated special projects, including her role as the Event Director of the team’s 2014 Hall of Fame induction.

Caruthers has extensive fundraising experience, both from her time with the Red Sox, as well as from a prior stint with Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. With the Red Sox, she was able to raise more than $20,000 in one year for the Fenway Park Living Museum, and later helped coordinate fundraising efforts associated with the 2014 Hall of Fame event. At Beth Israel, Caruthers spent time as the Administrative Assistant to Senior Directors of Major Gifts, and as the Administrative Coordinator to Senior Vice President of Development.

Most recently, Caruthers spent five months as Director of Special Projects for the Boston 2024 Partnership. She helped plan all special events and fundraising opportunities for the group, which sought to bring the Olympics to Boston in 2024. In her role, she helped to oversee activities associated with the 2015 Boston Marathon and Olympic Day at Fenway Park.

Caruthers has also seen competitive success outside of rowing. In 2004, she finished fourth at the World Synchronized Skating Championships. She is also a two-time first-place finisher at the United States Synchronized Skating Championships.

Caruthers graduated from the University of Massachusetts in 2008 with a bachelor’s degree in sports management. She currently resides in Jaffrey, N.H. with her husband, Alex, and their 19-month-old daughter, Isabelle. Her first day at Franklin Pierce was Sept. 5.

For more information on Franklin Pierce Athletics, please visit the official website of Franklin Pierce Athletics (http://athletics.franklinpierce.edu). Also be sure to follow the Ravens through the Department of Athletics’ official Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/FranklinPierceRavens), its YouTube channel (http://www.youtube.com/franklinpiercesports) and its Twitter feed (http://twitter.com/FPUathletics). Fans wishing to purchase Franklin Pierce rowing apparel can do so at the Department of Athletics’ brand new online store (http://athletics.franklinpierce.edu/store).