Samantha Sarff - Rowing Coach - University of Louisville Athletic

Cardinals practice V4+ on the Ohio River

Samantha Sarff

Title:
Assistant Coach
Email:
samantha@GoCards.com
Phone:
852-7933

Samantha Sarff was named assistant coach for the Cardinal's rowing program in August of 2019.

Sarff came to UofL after spending the last three seasons at Michigan State where she most recently served as interim head coach. Before taking over as interim head coach, she was an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator. Prior to MSU she spent two seasons at Clemson and Nova Southeastern, respectively.

In her time at Michigan State, Sarff was responsible for signing the largest recruiting classes in program history. In addition to her role as recruiting coordinator, she coached MSU's fours. Her 3v4+ boat took home bronze at the 2018 Big Ten Championship, while her V4+ crew finished fourth at the 2017 Big Ten Championship. During her time with the Spartans, they earned their highest national ranking since 2012 and finished the season ranked in the top-20 twice.

Sarff came to MSU after two seasons on the staff at Clemson where she coached the varsity fours to fourth and sixth place finishes in the 2016 ACC Championship. In 2015 she assumed the role of coaching the second varsity 8+ and guided them to a fifth place finish at ACC's. She also helped coach 19 CRCA National Scholar Athletes over those two campaigns.

Before her with the Tigers, she was on the staff at Nova Southeastern University. Sarff coached the varsity 4+ boats and the novice team while also serving as the program's recruiting coordinator. In her two seasons at NSU, she helped the Sharks win the 2013 NCAA Division II National Championship and a national runner-up finish in 2014.

Sarff coached at the University of Florida for the club team during the 2011-12 season. She coached the women's novice team to a No. 3 national club ranking. During that season, the program's open novice 8+ placed fourth in the grand final of the SIRA Championships and first place at the FIRA Championships.

Sarff rowed collegiately at the University of Central Florida and served as captain from 2008-10. She was co-president of the student-athlete advisory committee (SAAC) in 2008-09 and was a CRCA National Scholar-Athlete.

While in college, Sarff attended the U.S. National Team Identification camp at Princeton University, U.S. Freshmen Development camp at the University of Wisconsin, and was invited to U.S. Pre-Elite training camp. Additionally, she trained with Vesper Boat Club in Philadelphia and competed at U.S. Club Nationals and Canadian Henley in 2009.

Sarff earned a bachelor's degree in interdisciplinary studies from UCF in 2010 and a master's degree in athletic administration from Nova Southeastern in 2014.