Berne and Reifsnyder Join Rowing Coaching Staff

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Egan Berne and Brian Reifsnyder have been named as assistant coaches for the University of Louisville rowing program Cardinal head coach Derek Copeland announced today.

Berne comes to the Ville from Michigan State and Reifsnyder joins the Cardinals' staff from Old Dominion.

"I feel very fortunate that these two chose Louisville in an incredibly competitive job market," said Copeland. "It is a testament to the Community, the University, and our rowing program. Both coaches will add value to the returning coaching staff and our terrific support staff. They will fit in well, and I expect that they will bring speed and an even better experience to our rowers."

Berne, a 2017 graduate from the University of North Carolina with a degree in psychology, joined Michigan State in 2020. She was responsible for primarily coaching Michigan State's Second Varsity 8+ and heading up the Spartans' recruiting efforts both domestically and abroad. Berne assisted with managing, fixing, and transporting the team's boats and other equipment, and having a hand with the team's social media and the team's involvement with the Spartan Pride Alliance.

"Egan is someone we have known for a while, and we are glad to finally have her on our team, said Copeland. "She knows what it takes to level up and identifies well with our program."

Prior to her stint at Michigan State, Berne served as the assistant and interim head coach with the women's rowing programs at both Gonzaga and Colgate. From 2017-18, Berne served as the head novice girls coach at Loyola Academy Rowing Association. She spent a season at Gonzaga University (2019-20). While the Covid-19 pandemic did not allow for spring competition, the Zags had 15 student-athletes earn Academic All-WCC honors as the squad boasted a 3.52 spring GPA. The rowing program boasted 12 President's List honorees and 18 named to the Dean's List.

"I'm so excited to be heading to Louisville and getting back to the ACC, said Berne. "Derek has created an impressive program full of resilient and talented student-athletes. Even as a high school prospect, I remember believing the program was special and the university strived for excellence on the water and in the classroom. I can't wait to get to work and help push the team forward!"

Berne's first post-collegiate position was in her hometown of Chicago, as the novice rowing coach and freshman girl's basketball coach at Loyola Academy. She then accepted an assistant position in the collegiate ranks at Colgate University in Hamilton, NY (2018-19) where she was involved in all aspects of the program. She focused on the fours and was greatly involved in all aspects of team travel and also ran the Red Raiders social media accounts. The Red Raiders won the petite final in both the varsity eight and varsity four at the Patriot League Championships. She stepped in to serve as the program's interim head coach from March to July 2019 until accepting the position at Gonzaga.

Berne was a recruited rower and four-year letterwinner for the Tar Heels and the 2016-17 team captain. In 2014, she was rowing's nominee for "Newcomer of the Year" across the entire athletics department. While at UNC, Berne also was a member of the university's Richard D. Baddour Carolina Leadership Academy and spent the summer of 2015 with the International Summer School Program at the University of Oslo in Norway.

Reifsnyder, a 2016 graduate of Temple with a degree in sports management, started his first season coaching the Monarchs in 2021.

Reifsnyder joined the Monarchs after serving as the assistant rowing coach at La Salle for three seasons. With the Explorers, Reifsnyder was the recruiting coordinator and assistant coach to the men's and women's rowing teams and worked on recruiting, budgeting and compliance, while coaching and mentoring student-athletes.

"Brian has shown his ability as a recruiter and program builder over his last couple of stops," said Copeland. "The team will benefit from his perspective and skill set."

Prior to La Salle, Reifsnyder was an athletics department intern at Saint Joseph's and an assistant rowing coach for the Holy Ghost Preparatory School in Bensalem, Pennsylvania.

During his four years at his alma mater, Reifsnyder competed with the men's varsity rowing team. He helped the Owls to an appearance in the 2016 IRA National Championships and won the Ash Cup at the San Diego Crew Classic in 2015.

"I'd like to thank Coach Copeland and the University of Louisville athletic department for the great opportunity," said Reifsnyder. "I am very excited to get started here at Louisville, and to help take Cardinals to new heights."

University of Louisville Athletics

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