Bio

Stephanie Ricker is in her second year at the helm of Bryant rowing program. Ricker became the first head coach of the Bryant women's rowing program as it became a varisty program in the 2022-23 academic year.

Ricker comes to Smithfield after spending the last two years as the associate head coach of the women's rowing program at Holy Cross.

Prior to Holy Cross, Ricker spent four years as the assistant coach of men's and women's rowing teams at Hamilton College, with a period as the interim head coach in the 2018-19 season. Since the fall of 2015, both programs at Hamilton have seen record-setting seasons and roster sizes, having significant benchmark improvements and successes throughout each season. This culminated in the 2018-2019 season with repeat top finishes in NYS Champs for both men's and women's teams, with the women's team earning their second-ever bid to the NCAA National Championships.

Ricker also brings prior experience as the Director of Community Outreach at Three Rivers Rowing Association in Pittsburgh, Pa. In this role she served as the head coach for the inner-city girls and the adaptive rowing programs, while she also worked in a support role for multiple additional programs. She also worked in grant writing and budget management for one of the largest rowing clubs in the nation while working to solidify and foster new community relationships with local colleges and organizations.

Prior to Three Rivers Rowing Association, Ricker served as the head coach for Vassar College men's and women's rowing squads from 2010-2014. During that time, she worked as a consulting coach and sports development specialist for the Nassau Rowing Club starting in 2013. Her background also includes experience as the co-founder and coach for the Saginaw Rowing Association in Michigan, head coach of the Bay County High School Rowing Club and Detroit Women's Rowing Association, private coach and consultant, and as an assistant novice coach and intramural coach at Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Mich.

Ricker's rowing career began in high school and continued as a four-year varsity member at Grand Valley State University and another year at Barry University in Miami Shores, Fla. She has more than 20 years of competitive rowing experience including as an open and master's rower, having earned medals at local, regional and national level competitions. She has her USRowing Level III coaching, USRowing adaptive rowing, and Sports Nutrition Certifications. She received her bachelor's degree in psychology from Grand Valley State and her master's degree in sports and exercise psychology from Barry University.