David W. Kucik Director of Rowing & Head Men's Coach, Jack Kellmanson
Jack began rowing in 2011 in Jacksonville, FL, where he got his start in the sport sculling, competing at the junior level in the 1x and 2x. Jack continued his rowing career at the University of Virginia, where he was a member of the F8 which took silver at ACRA in 2018, as well as a member of the V8 his junior and senior years, which unfortunately saw limited racing opportunities due to the global pandemic. Jack’s most influential experience as an athlete was serving as the training partner to world champion Swiss single sculler Jeannine Gmelin in 2019 under coach Robin Dowell, who, along with Virginia coach Frank Biller, Jack cites as his inspirations for beginning his coaching career. Jack joins Purdue from the University of Illinois. Under Jack, the program achieved numerous bests and firsts, most excitingly at ACRA 2024 with the program’s first ever medal in an 8 (WN8 - 3rd, 2024), and highest ever team points finish. Jack is most proud of the growth of the team and commitment of the athletes he coached, seeing the team’s roster size more than double since coming to the program. Jack brings to Purdue his love for the sport, a focus on holistic athlete development and team culture, and a deep appreciation for club rowing. He is thrilled to be joining the rich tradition of Purdue crew and leading the program into its next chapter.
Boatman & Head Women's Coach, Jason Mitchell
Jason Mitchell began his adventure into the rowing world in the Fall of 2005 while attending Purdue University. During his time on Purdue Crew, he was able to be a part of a Lightweight 8 the earned medals at the SIRA, Dad Vail, and ACRA regattas.
Since graduating from college, Jason served as an assistant Purdue coach for three semesters, then was hired as the Director or Rowing at The College of William & Mary in 2012. In the summer of 2014, Mitchell also helped start a high school rowing program for the high schools in the Williamsburg area. The Williamsburg Boat Club Juniors program had its first season in the Fall of 2014. Jason was the men’s coach the 2014-15 season and moved to the Freshman/Novice coach for the 2015-16 season.
In 2016, Coach Mitchell began his first season as Head Coach of the Pennsylvania State University Crew Team, where he built the team into a larger more competitive club.
Coach Mitchell’s coaching journey now comes full circle as he is now back in West Lafayette. Jason brings with him his wife Jillian and their two sons, Jaxson and Jett.
Head Novice Men's Coach, Caleb Corey
Caleb started his rowing career at Purdue University in 2012 where he rowed all four years until graduating in 2016. During his rowing career at Purdue, he was lucky enough to compete in a wide array of regattas like the San Diego Crew Classic, SIRAs, and Dad Vail. After graduating from Purdue with a large amount of hardware and betting shirts he decided to continue his rowing career behind a launch instead of in a racing shell. He started coaching a young IUPUI team in the spring of 2017 and grew the team from fielding only a novice men’s four in the spring to fielding 9 entries at the Bald Eagle regatta before COVID put a wrench in the sports community. During that time he also spent a year coaching the IRC Novice Men as well as helping coach a summer camp for college rowers.
Head Novice Women's Coach, Alicia Clark
Alicia began her rowing journey in 2011 when she joined Purdue Crew as a freshman. She stroked the Novice 8 to a 3rd place finish at the Dad Vail Regatta. For the next three years, she sat in 2-seat in the V8 that earned medals at most races. She finished off her Purdue Crew career by being named Most Valuable Oarswomen in 2015.
Since graduating from college, Alicia started her coaching career in the online space by starting her own business. She became a Master Indoor Rowing Instructor through UCanRow2 and helps the general population fall in love with rowing. She also became a CrossFit Level 1 Trainer and has been coaching classes in person since June of 2020. Combining strength training and rowing is her passion, and she's excited to bring that knowledge to the team to create some strong and wickedly fast rowers.
Assistant Coach, Alex Welch
Alex began his rowing career at Washington State University in 2016 where he rowed for 5 years. During his time at WSU, he was in the Varsity 8 for his entire collegiate career. Earning medals at the WIRA, Canadian Nationals, and Opening Day regattas to name a few.
After graduating WSU, he chose to go to Officer Candidates School for the U.S. Marine Corps. After tearing his rotator cuff in training and being discharged for injury, he wanted to rehabilitate his shoulder as well as contribute to a collegiate rowing program. Alex looks to Draw from his experience on the WSU rowing team, what he learned from the Marine Corps, and his time spent as Captain of a Commercial Fishing Vessel in Alaska. Using these experiences to help the rowers and coxswains develop as athletes, and as future leaders in their fields.
Assistant Coach, Daniel Moguel
Daniel began his rowing career at Washington State University in 2016 where he rowed for 5 years. During his time at WSU he was part of the varsity lightweight 4 that won at WIRA and the varsity 8 that won at covered bridge regatta.
After graduating WSU he made his way to Purdue University in 2021 where he is currently studying to get his PhD. Daniel used his last year of eligibility to row at Purdue where he raced with the varsity 8 that won at San Diego Crew Classic. Now that his racing days are done, he is excited to help coach here at Purdue and see boats gain speed.
Assistant Coach, Brison Shira
Brison began rowing in 2019 at the College of Charleston with coaches Joseph Berger and Travis Landrith. Since then, he has not stopped rowing and particularly enjoys sculling in doubles and singles. During his time at CofC Crew he served as the team's equipment manager and men's captain. Brison joined Purdue Crew in 2023 when he began his graduate studies here in Chemistry.