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Spencer Washburn

Coaches

Background

Spencer graduated from Princeton University in 2005 with a degree in History. While at Princeton, he was a member of the heavyweight rowing team and served as the team captain during his senior year.

In the fall of 2007, Spencer returned to Princeton as the assistant coach of the lightweight rowing program and spent two years with that group. In his second year, he helped the Varsity 8+ to championship wins at the Eastern Sprints, the IRA National Championships as well as at the Henley Royal Regatta in England. Spencer transitioned to the heavyweight squad where he was the assistant coach for five years, and he coached four crews to silver medals at the Eastern Sprints and twice had crews earn medals at the IRA National Championships.

Over the past five years, Spencer and the boys’ rowing program have continue to build upon the already successful history of rowing at Deerfield Academy.  In the spring of 2015, the boys’ first varsity 4+ won the NEIRA Championships and followed that up with a bronze medal finish at the US Rowing Youth National Championships.  Those results were matched in 2016 with another NEIRA championship in the boys’ first varsity 4+ and another 3rd place result at the US Rowing Youth National Championships.

In 2017, the team took a step forward as they won the NEIRA Team Championship, a first for boys at Deerfield.  This was accomplished on the strength of championship wins in the boys’ first varsity 4+, as well as the third and fourth 4+s.  The boys’ second 4+ earned a bronze medal to help secure the Team Championship.  The boys’ first 4+ returned to the US Rowing Youth National Championships and, after three years of finishing 3rd, brought home the national title, the second National Championship for the boys (their first was won in 2012).

2018 saw the boys’ rowing team repeat at NEIRA Team Champions with wins in the first, third, and fourth varsity 4+s, to go along with a silver in the second varsity 4+.  The first varsity 4+ also repeated as US Rowing Youth National Champions, the third national title for the program.

This past spring, the boys rowing team completed a successful season with all four boats earning medals at the NEIRA Championships.  The first varsity 4+ won it’s sixth consecutive championship while the second 4+ finished a very competitive 3rd.  The third and fourth 4+s added matching silver medals to help the team finish 2nd in the team championship.  The top boat went on to finish 4th at the US Rowing Youth National Championships.

Spencer resides in O’Byrne Curtis Dorm with his wife, Megan, and their three boys, Caden, Teague and Ryan.

Teams

  • Head Coach – Rowing (Boys): Varsity

Contact

Frequently Asked Questions

Deerfield students are encouraged to step outside their comfort zone and try new experiences. If a student wishes to play a new sport, then they can participate in tryouts along with the other athletes, and will be placed according to their skill level. Most sports at Deerfield have multiple teams, so those new to a particular sport will usually have the opportunity to play at an appropriate level. Beginners should be sure to notify the coach if they require guidance in navigating a new sport.

Students are required to participate in a co-corricular each term. “Co-curriculars” do not necessarily have to be an interscholastic sport. Other options include community service, dance, theater, recreational sports, or even managing a sport. Additionally, students with talents in certain areas such as the arts may apply for a co-curricular exemption, in which they pursue their talent under the guidance of a Deerfield faculty member. Freshmen and sophomores are encouraged to participate in at least two terms of interscholastic athletics per year.

Varsity candidates will typically have preseason tryouts before school begins, and therefore should plan on arriving three or more days early. Coaches notify candidates during the summer if they should arrive early, and arrival dates are posted on the Deerfield Academy calendar.

Deerfield does provide laundry services for athletic clothing. Students should be aware that due to turnaround time they may want to have multiple sets of clothing to avoid any problems.

Each sport holds tryouts at the beginning of the season to determine appropriate placement for students trying out. Deerfield does its best to put all of its students in the position to succeed and grow as athletes, and these efforts are reflected in the composition of its teams.

All students, faculty, and staff can seek help from Deerfield’s skilled athletic training staff regardless of their involvement in Deerfield athletics.

Certain equipment, including game uniforms and practice clothing, is provided by the Athletic Stockroom. Some non-clothing items are also available for loan upon request, or available to purchase through the Athletic Store. Because each sport has varying equipment needs, students should be in touch with their coach or the stockroom staff when they arrive on campus. If students need to purchase athletic equipment or clothing not found in the Athletic Store or stockroom, they can usually find it at any one of several local retail stores.

Recreational sports are typically open to juniors and seniors as a co-curricular option, but some may allow underclassmen to participate with the coach’s permission.

The athletic facilities, including the gym, pool, tennis courts, and squash courts, are open to all students, faculty, and staff during their hours of operation. At the beginning of the year all students participate in an orientation that walks them through proper use of the fitness center, and all new students take a required swim test before they can use the pool. Hours for athletic facilities are posted online.

Contact Athletics

athletics@deerfield.edu
413-774-1430

Office West Gym
Mail PO Box 36
Deerfield, MA 01342

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