Meet the Coaches

Our coaching staff has a strong emphasis on ensuring that our athletes are not only strong athletes, but that they are also responsible young adults. We work to ensure that your student athletes are students first, and athletes second. Rowing can help teach the young athletes time management, communication, team work, the value of hard work, and how to go after their goals. Our athletes work day in and out out to live up to the values of the team, to give all you have for that day and to support their team members. Our coaching staff hold them to those values, to help the athletes achieve the goals they set for themselves.

Mens and Womens Head Coach

Samantha Doletzky

Sam has over 11 years of experience in rowing; as an athlete, a coxswain, and a coach. She started out in the Rockford program, rowing and coxing all four years. She went on to be a coxswain for the Grand Valley program, and raced with the Denmark Nationals Team for a first place finish at The Head of the Charles. She has been coaching the last 6 years at other local high schools.

Assistant Coach

Cameron McKee

Cam rowed all four years of high school at Rockford, graduating in 2017. Over Cam’s time with Rockford he took home multiple State titles, Midwest titles and brought home third in the nation his senior year. Cam has a strong emphasis in power application and the mentality of rowing with strength and endurance.

Assistant Coach

Josie Dickerson

Josie was a coxswain at Rockford all four years. She went on to have many successful seasons throughout her junior and senior years. Her biggest accomplishments include coxing the women's JV8 at 2021 State Championships (1st place), the women's v8 at the 2022 Midwest Championships (2nd place), and the women's lightweight four at Canada (2nd place).

Middle School Coach

Gioia Arcidiacono

Gioia began rowing at Rockford in the fall of 2016 in seventh grade. They helped with learn-to-row and middle school programs while still a student, and began coaching the middle school team. Gioia is looking forward to continuing to teach young rowers this spring.

Weightlifting Coach

Nate Sanders

Coach Nate is a former Rockford Athlete, and has been coaching strength and conditioning as well as varsity football for 10+ years. Nate holds numerous certificates in fitness and strength training. Nate also owns his own fitness company outside of helping Rockford Athletics with strength and conditioning.

Yoga Coach

Alissa Newburg

Alissa has been teaching Yoga for the past 10 years, and focuses on strong body alignment to safely increase flexibility and strength. Alissa will work on guiding you through breath work and flexibility training to get you into the best condition possible for the upcoming Crew season. She loves that yoga meets you right where you are and that it can be modified to work for any and everyone. We will work on strengthening your breath skills and building flexibility so you are able to maintain strong posture as you row.