Matthew Dalton – General Manager, Rowing

Alma Mater: CSULB

Background:

Daniel Harris

Alma Mater: Orange Coast College, CSULB

Background: Daniel “Danny” Harris commences his third year with the women’s team athletes of Beach Crew. Danny is committed to aiming high and preparing his athletes for a rigorous but rewarding season.

Danny rowed for Orange Coast College under coach Jim Jorgenson from 1999-2001. He finished his studies at CSULB and found himself recruited onto Beach Crew’s Men’s Varsity boat from 2001-2003 under coach Mike Vescovi.

Robert Edwards – Men’s Head Coach

Alma Mater: State University of New York Maritime (SUNY-M)

Background: Robert “Rob” Edwards joined Beach Crew in 2009 with an amazing approach to motivate his athletes and aim for success.

Early one morning, during summer indoctrination, while his squad was double-timing past the scenic New York City skyline and the majestic EMPIRE STATE VI, Rob glanced over and saw the Men’s Pair rowing into the docks. Before his drill instructor snapped at him to get his eyes back to where they belonged, Rob was hooked…he had to row.

He has done that ever since. Since his Fourth Class year at the State University of New York, Maritime College (SUNY-Maritime) Rob has been a member of a competitive rowing team. While at Maritime, Rob won several medals as the bow-man in the Men’s Novice and Varsity 4′s, including gold medals at the New England Fours and Mid-Atlantic Championships as well as at several smaller regattas including the Dowling Cup, All-SUNY Regatta, Metropolitan Championships, and Knecht Cup.

After graduating Maritime with a BE in Naval Architecture, Rob was commissioned into the United States Navy and was assigned the Office of Naval Reactors, in Washington, DC. While in DC Rob began rowing with the DC Strokes Rowing Club Men’s Masters team. Shortly after joining he began coaching the morning competitive team and in 2006 took on the Men’s and Women’s Masters Novice teams while still competing with the master’s team. With Strokes Rob was able to accumulate more medals from such events as the Occoquan Chase, the Head of the Ohio, Capital Sprints, Charm City Sprints, Stonewall Regatta, and a gold and bronze at the World Out Games in Copenhagen, Denmark. While with Strokes Rob took advantage of the opportunity to learn to scull and has been racing singles, doubles and all manner of sweep boats since 2007.

In August, 2009, Rob transferred to the Individual Ready Reserves and began living a civilian life in Long Beach, California. He is thrilled to be working with the Beach Crew and looks forward to turning out motivated, life-long rowers.

Jeffrey Vreeland – Men’s Novice Coach

Alma Mater: Orange Coast College, UC Berkeley, CSULB

Background:

Alma Mater:

Background:

John O’Donnell – Boatmaster

Alma Mater: Orange Coast College, CSULB

Background: Beach Crew Boatman, John O’Donnell, has the distinction of being on board with Beach Crew since 2004, the longest in the current lineup of staff. “Coach John,” as his rowers call him, is a mentor to all of his athletes. They love his passion to introduce the sport to many walk-on athletes as well as those continuing in the sport who have rowed in the past.

Coach John himself was a rower at Orange Coast College and continued his career at CSULB in Coach Ed Graham’s lightweight crew. John is a certified referee for US Rowing.

When asked why he loves the sport, his response was rather taken by surprise as he pointed out to a crew that just threw their coxswain in the water after winning a scrimmage. “You see that? That’s why I’m here doing this. You can’t experience that anywhere else.”

Rita Hayes – Student Life & Development Adviser

Years with Beach Crew: 25

Billy Harkness

Years with Beach Crew: 4