Men's Rowing | September 7, 2021

PHILADELPHIA - La Salle University head rowing coach Jeff Garbutt has announced the addition of a pair of All-Americans to his coaching staff. Kelsey Franks and Olivia Robb will begin their tenures with the Explorer rowing programs this fall.

A four-year member of Temple's women's rowing program, Franks was a Second-Team All American in 2016. A coxswain for the varsity eight all four years, Franks helped her crew earn two American Athletic Conference Boat of the Week awards. While at Temple, she also was a member of Vesper Boat Club, working with the entire U-23 Heavyweight Women's Program as coxswain.

"Kelsey is a great addition to our staff," Garbutt said. "She brings valued experience as a coxswain on the Schuylkill, and her experience as a head coach will benefit our student-athletes."

A standout student who graduated with a bachelor's degree in English with Criminal Justice Minor in 2016, she was also a multi-year College Rowing Coaches Association Scholar-Athlete. Since graduating from Temple, Franks was head rowing coach at Tampa Preparatory School in Florida for two seasons before transitioning into a Director of Rowing role from 2018-21. 

"I'm thrilled to be joining such a monumental and historic rowing institution at La Salle," Franks said. "Coach Garbutt has already lit a fire to begin this new era of La Salle rowing, and I'm excited to contribute by bringing my rowing knowledge back to my home course on the Schuylkill River. There are big things on the horizon for this program, both in the local Philly rowing scene and on a national level."

Robb was a two-time All-American at Washington College, where she served as first varsity coxswain from 2016-20. The Shorewomen made three straight NCAA DIvision III Women's Rowing Championships (2017-19).

"I am very excited to have Olivia join our staff," Garbutt said. "Her experience as an athlete at the NCAA's and as a coach will be an asset as we continue to grow as a program."

Following her senior year, Robb won Washington College's Senior Athletic Award, the top award a student-athlete can receive. The Kennett Square, Pa. native was a two-year team captain and graduated as a double major in Psychology and Sociology. Robb was the novice boy's coach at Unionville High School prior to arriving at La Salle.

"I am excited for this opportunity to join the Explorer family," Robb said. "I'm thrilled to work under Coach Garbutt's leadership and to collaborate with Kelsey Franks to support the team both on and off the water. I am looking forward to an exciting year ahead working with dedicated and focused athletes as we get faster." 

The fall season begins for the Explorers in October with the Navy Day Regatta.