Sanford to Retire From UConn

By Katie Lane

Jennifer Sanford, head women’s rowing coach at the University of Connecticut, has announced that the 2026 season will be her last.

“It was a difficult decision to make because my identity for the majority of my life has been Rowing Coach,” said Sanford, who was the inaugural head coach of women’s rowing when the program was granted varsity status in 1997 and has led the Huskies for the last 29 years.

“I’ve tried to teach [student-athletes] that what this is all about is taking the sport of rowing and the experience of being a Division I athlete at UConn and using it as a tool to learn and improve in all areas of their lives.”

Sanford will continue to serve the university and the athletic department through 2027 as an advisor to the rowing program, helping guide the completion of a new boathouse and providing historical perspective and institutional knowledge.

“I am confident UConn will select a fantastic successor and the team is going to be in great hands,” Sanford said. “I’m excited to see the continued growth of the program and will support the team any way that I can, wearing a different hat.”

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