Announcement of Leadership Change in Women’s Rowing
PHILADELPHIA – Kumari Lewis has officially stepped down from her role as associate head coach and recruiting coordinator for women’s rowing at the University of Pennsylvania. She is set to take on the position of head coach for women’s rowing at the University of Alabama.
Tenure at the University of Pennsylvania
Over the past eight years, Lewis has been integral to the growth of the Quakers’ rowing program, initially joining as an assistant coach before her promotion prior to the 2023-24 season.
Reflecting on her time at Penn, Lewis expressed her appreciation, stating, “I could not be more grateful to the Penn community. These last eight years at Penn have shaped who I am as a person and coach and it is certainly bittersweet to be leaving.” She expressed enthusiasm for her new journey in Tuscaloosa but noted that the Penn women’s rowing community will always remain close to her heart.
Support from Penn’s Head Coach
Penn’s head coach, Bill Manning, praised Lewis’s contributions, stating, “Kumari has helped elevate Penn Women’s Rowing to where we stand today: a consistent NCAA Championships competitor and a highly ranked team. It’s hard to overstate her contributions to the increased success the program has experienced these past five years.”
Manning highlighted Lewis’s deep commitment to her athletes, stating, “Alabama is getting a head coach who cares deeply about her athletes and their welfare.” He acknowledged her readiness for this new opportunity, crediting her preparation during her time at Penn.
A Legacy of Success
During Lewis’s tenure, the Penn rowing program achieved remarkable milestones, including its first four consecutive full-team appearances at the NCAA Championship from 2022 to 2025. Before Lewis’s arrival, the Quakers’ only NCAA appearance had been a Four in 1998.
- 2022: Tied for 11th place with SMU.
- 2023: Jumped to sixth in team standings, with the Varsity Eight finishing fourth.
- 2024: Achieved a tenth-place finish with all three boats in the top 12 (1V8 10th, 2V8 10th, V4A 11th).
- 2025: Finished 17th at the Championship.
In addition, under Lewis’s guidance, Penn’s NCAA boats won five medals at the Ivy League Championship, definitively marking a competitive era for the program.
Acknowledgments and Future Endeavors
Following the 2023 spring season, Lewis, along with her fellow coaching staff, was recognized as the Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association (CRCA) Region I Staff of the Year. Notably, she was part of the team that led the Quakers in their debut at prestigious events like the Henley Women’s Regatta and the Henley Royal Regatta in the UK, where they made a commendable run.
Looking Ahead
As Lewis embarks on this new chapter at the University of Alabama, the Penn rowing community celebrates her achievements and the indelible mark she has left on the program. For updates on the Penn Women’s Rowing team, follow them on Instagram at @PennWomensRowing or visit their official site at PennAthletics.com.
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