Head man Borghard steers RU onward

Max Borghard says Rutgers crew is in his blood. Just as he did, both his father and brother rowed on the Raritan River when they were Scarlet Knights.
Now, more than two decades removed from his collegiate crew career, Borghard is in his 15th year as head coach of the Rutgers crew team.
Hired in 1995, Borghard has been at the helm for many of the Knights’ landmark moments.
RU qualified for the inaugural women’s crew NCAA Championships in 1997. The team was one of just eight teams in the nation to earn a full-team bid to the event.
The Knights have made it back to the NCAA Championships two additional times — 1998 and 2001 — while winning a total of 26 Big East medals during Borghard’s tenure.
“It’s special to be able to come back to Rutgers, especially because the school’s crew program has played a big part in my family,” Borghard said. “It’s been an honor so far.”
Borghard, who received his bachelor’s degree from RU in mechanical engineering in 1987, was an accomplished rower for the Knights as a student. He was selected to two consecutive U.S. National Teams in 1986 and 1987.
Prior to his return to Rutgers, Borghard coached at Dartmouth for six seasons. Additionally, he led the junior men’s double team to a gold medal at the 1991 U.S. Olympic Festival in Los Angeles.
When women’s crew became a scholarship varsity sport in the early portion of his coaching tenure, Borghard’s experience served him well as he built up the program at RU.
“Keeping the team sharp mentally, in terms of communicating with teammates and coaches, is important,” Borghard said. “I’ve always tried to keep the team focused on the day-to-day process rather than worry about the eventual outcomes.”
The Knights have just one more race remaining on the 2009 slate, as the fall regattas come to an end with the Foot of Charles Nov. 14 in Boston.
Borghard said the race is another chance for his team to get better and more prepared for the lengthy spring season, which starts up in late-March.
“We’re continuing to make progress, and it’s translating on race day,” Borghard said. “We always strive to improve each day, and I think this team is up to the challenge.”

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