AMHERST COLLEGE ROWING ASSOCIATION
Meet Our Team!
Meet our head coach, captains, and see what some of our current teammates have to say about ACRA.
Coach William (Bill) Stekl
Head coach Bill Stekl began his coaching career at Amherst College in 1984 when he was appointed coach of the women’s team. After a brief hiatus in the 1990’s, he returned to Amherst in 1998 when he was appointed head rowing coach.
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Since his return, his crews have won fifty medals at New England Championships, including several gold, and point trophies in the fours competition. In addition, his crews have been represented in several Dad Vail finals, and his women’s varsity four won the Avaya National Invitational Regatta in 2002. These results not only reflect his coaching expertise, but more importantly, they reflect his life philosophy: every learning experience, every effort and every individual counts toward the common good of the team.
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He may be contacted by phone at (413) 542-2323, or by e-mail at wfstekl@amherst.edu.
2022-23 Women's Team Captains
Cayla '23 (left) and Nina '23 (right) are the Women's team captains for the 2022-23 school year. Cayla is a psychology and environmental studies double major from Massachusetts. Nina is a math and philosophy double major from South Carolina. They have been on the team since their freshman year and tried rowing for the first time at Amherst. The team is so excited to have them as our captains.
2022-23 Men's Team Captains
Will '24 (left) and Pierre '24 (right) are the men's team captains for the 2022-23 school year. Will is a physics major from Colorado, and Pierre is a French and Economics double major from Western Massachusetts. They both joined the team their freshman year, and also tried rowing for the first time at Amherst. We can't wait to see what they do as captains!
2022-23 Coxswain Captain
Carla '24 is the 2022-23 Coxswain captain. Carla is a premed, biochem-biophysics and economics double major, from New Jersey. Despite her incredibly busy courseload, she is proudly serving as the leader for coxswains on the men's and women's teams. Inspirational!
Some words from some rowers. . .
Will '24
I joined crew freshman fall during Covid just as a way to stay active. Never in a million years would I have guessed that the best part of each day in college would be going out onto the water in a boat and working out with the team. In crew, I found a community that is welcoming, supportive, and always excited to push themselves to the limits. Looking forward to many more memories with the river mammoths!
I joined crew in the fall of my freshman year largely because I wanted to do a sport in college and because crew is one of the few college sports that one can pickup without any prior experience. I love the team’s dedicated and supportive culture and my teammates have become some of my closest friends.
Sandor '25
I joined crew at the beginning of my freshman year to be a coxswain. Quickly, I fell in love with the supportive community, strong competition, and the gorgeous scenery of the Connecticut River.
Sophie '23
I joined crew in the spring of my freshman year on a whim. It changed my life! I fell in love with the sport and the team and made so many new friends. I also found that the structure helped me manage my time better, and I feel like I have a more balanced life.
Anna '24
I love crew because it’s such a positive space for people that want to do something physically and mentally challenging without being on a varsity team. I had never rowed before ACRA and I’m so grateful I’ve had this opportunity to learn in such a positive community! Many of my closest friends are from this team and I can’t imagine my Amherst experience without it.
Callie '24
Crew has always been an important part of my life. I started rowing my freshman year of HS and when I got into Amherst, I knew I wanted to join the team! On top of it being an incredibly interesting and unique sport, it has allowed me to create so many friendships and learn more about myself than anything else.
Henry '24