Tony Kilbridge is in his seventh year as MIT’s director of rowing and men’s varsity heavyweight coach. Upon his arrival, MIT’s heavyweight men have established themselves as a competitive force in the EARC, defeating many of their league opponents in cup racing and championship regattas.

As director of rowing, Kilbridge oversees all of the Institute’s varsity crews and is responsible for the operation of the Pierce Boathouse. Under his leadership, all of MIT’s crews are on the upswing and are looking forward to better results with each passing year.

Kilbridge came to MIT from the University of Virginia, where he led the men’s heavyweight crew to several strong seasons and top-20 national rankings in his five years at the helm. Kilbridge graduated cum laude from both Harvard University in 1982 and Georgetown University Law School in 1987. As an undergraduate, Kilbridge was a two-time Eastern Sprints champion. More recently he has won Gold, Silver and Bronze medals at the Masters’ U.S. National Championships.

Evan Thews-Wassell is in his seventh year as MIT’s men’s heavyweight freshmen coach. Under his guidance, the 2009 freshman boat finished ninth at the Eastern Sprints and 13th nationally. Thews-Wassell came to the Institute after serving as the novice coach at Northampton Youth and Community Rowing, Inc. He led the NYCRI novice boy’s squad to a first-place finish in the Massachusetts Public State Fall Championships and a second-place finish in the Massachusetts Public State Spring Championships, registering the best finish in program history.

Thews-Wassell began his coxing career at Northampton High School before moving on to Ithaca College, where he earned an ECAC Silver medal and led the varsity eight for three years. He most recently coxed for the Riverside Boat Club Lightweight High Performance Group where he won gold at the Canadian Henley Regatta.

Thews-Wassell graduated from Ithaca College in 2005, majoring in Theatre Arts Management.