Lalande named Wisconsin women’s rowing assistant coach
February 25, 2025 | Women's Rowing
Longtime volunteer hired as assistant openweight coach
MADISON, Wis. – Chris Lalande, who has been a longtime volunteer coach with UW rowing, has been hired as an assistant coach for the Wisconsin women's openweight rowing team, the program announced today.
"Chris has been a huge part of Wisconsin rowing these past 20 years in a volunteer role and part-time assistant with openweight, lightweight and novice first-year rowers," said Women's Rowing Head Coach Vicky Opitz. "We are incredibly fortunate that the stars have aligned and she is able to be with us in a full-time capacity joining us officially as staff."
Lalande has been a volunteer assistant coach with UW rowing since 2005, beginning with the openweights through the 2012-13 season, when she transitioned to work with the lightweights. In her role as a volunteer coach, she coached the technique and performance of student-athletes, helping them develop rowing skills and refine their mental approach to the sport.
During her time at Wisconsin, Lalande has helped coach the Badgers to a Big Ten team championship in 2010, as well as 15 NCAA rowing championship appearances from 2005 to 2019, including five top-10 finishes.
Before joining the Badgers, Lalande served as a volunteer coach with the University of Michigan men's and women's rowing teams from 2003-05 and helped the program to a Big Ten championship in 2004. She previously served as men's rowing head coach at the Lincoln Park Boat Club from 1997-2003.
Lalande competed as a coxswain for the women's rowing team at the University of Pennsylvania from 1993-97. She earned bachelor degrees in computer science and psychology at Penn.
Outside of rowing, Lalande has professional experience in leadership and technology, working in various software engineering and IT roles at UW-Madison and beyond.
"Chris not only brings years of coaching experience but also a data background looking ahead to the future of athlete development," Opitz said. "She is an incredible role model for these young people and truly embodies the Badger rowing spirit."
The Badger women's openweight rowing team begins their 2025 spring season with the Cardinal Invite on Saturday and Sunday, March 15-16, in Oak Ridge, Tennessee.
