The Rowing Team is off to a great start and Coach Nick Fazzino is excited for the 2019-2020 season. 

In high school, Coach Fazzino rowed in the Woodlands for two programs over three years: Woodlands Crew and Parati Competitive Rowing. He also rowed in college at Baylor and joined the coaching staff there for three years as the Men’s Assistant Coach, and later the Head Coach and Program Director. After Baylor, he was the Vice President of the Waco Rowing Club.

This year, in addition to his role as Head Rowing Coach, Coach Fazzino joins Ursuline as the Administrative Assistant to the Administration Department.

What have you enjoyed about the school year so far?

It has been amazing to see our great group of first year rowers come in and work really hard alongside our Varsity program.

What does a Coach Fazzino Rowing Practice look like?

Our efficient practices are exciting with new pieces and drills. Our coaching staff is constantly working to develop our athletes on and off the water, and to find a way to make our boats faster.

What are your expectations for the rowing team this year?

This year, we are working on various goals as a team. A big priority is working to improve each week by increasing our potential both as an individual and as a team.

Just this past weekend at the Head of the Oklahoma Regatta (October 5), we kicked off the season with a great performance from all boats. I am so proud of how each rower is working to contribute to something bigger than herself: the team.

How would you describe your coaching style?

I like to keep practices energetic. It helps with the early morning practices and wakes the girls up. I focus on coaching the individual in the boat so that we can have a unified technique. It helps make the boat row together, and in turn, have greater boat speed. 

My main coaching philosophy comes from the quote “Practice like you race, race like you practice.”  When you treat every day of practice the same as a race, you will be more prepared mentally and physically when race day arrives.

Anything else you would like to share about the rowing team?

We compete not only against other high schools in Dallas, but also against select club teams from across the country. This makes the sport exciting as we get to travel to races in Philadelphia, Nashville, and Sarasota to compete against these other programs.

Last year, we medaled at the State Championships in the Varsity 8+ for the first time in program history – and beat two of the bigger club teams from Texas in the process!  

I am impressed each day with how hard the young women on this team work and how they come together to achieve a common goal.  

As an added bonus: view a video taken from the coxswain (the person that gives commands and steers) from inside the boat of the State Championship race.