July 2, 2001

The UCLA Athletic Department announced today that three-time U.S. Olympian Amy Fuller has been selected as head coach of the Bruin women's rowing program.

Fuller was an assistant coach at Stanford last season and helped the Cardinal earn a Top 20 national ranking for the first time in the program's history. She had previously served as an assistant coach at San Diego State from 1998-2000 and at the University of Tennessee, Chattanooga from 1996-1998. She was also an assistant coach with the U.S. National Team in 1997.

One of the most decorated rowers in U.S. history and an 11-year national team member, Fuller won 12 gold, two silver and one bronze medal at the U.S. National Championships. She competed in seven World Championships, winning a gold medal in the women's 8+ in 1995 and six additional silver medals. In 1992, she earned a silver medal at the Olympic Games in the women's 4 without coxswain. Fuller also competed at the 1996 and 2000 Olympics, placing in the Top 6 in the women's 8+ both years. In 1995, she was a finalist for the Sullivan Award, given annually to the nation's top amateur athlete, and in 1993, she was selected the U.S. Rowing Female Athlete of the Year.

Fuller, a Westlake Village native who prepped at Westlake HS, graduated from UC Santa Barbara in 1990 with a bachelor's degree in Biology and later served as varsity women's coach at her alma mater from 1992-1993. She went on to receive her Masters in Education from Tennessee, Chattanooga in 1998.

"We are thrilled to have Amy join the Bruin coaching staff," said Associate Athletic Director Betsy Stephenson. "Her national and international experience, as well as her familiarity with Southern California, uniquely qualify Amy to lead our new intercollegiate rowing program."

UCLA announced on Feb. 9, 2001 that it would add rowing as an intercollegiate sport for the 2001-02 season. The rowing team will begin its intercollegiate status in the Fall of 2001. It has previously existed as a club program since 1992.