Position Overview
This is a unique and first of its kind opportunity for KU RECREATION SERVICES and the KU Crew Club! This position is the first full time Sport Club coach for the department and is supported by a generous donation to the Endowment Association. In addition to financial support for the coaching position, KU Crew has received another donation of $200,000 to support club operations and School of Business entrepreneurial programming along with one-to-one matching for an additional $500,000. If fulfilled, KU Crew could receive almost $1.5M of support to make it one of the premier Crew club programs in the country.

KU RECREATION SERVICES, a department within Student Affairs, provides a campus-wide impact by improving the quality of life for all students, faculty, staff, affiliates, retirees, alumni, spouses, and domestic partners through our fitness and wellness initiatives. RECREATION SERVICES provides state-of-the-art recreational programs, facilities, and services.

The University of Kansas RECREATION SERVICES department seeks a Crew Club Coach to play an essential role in the management and support of RECREATION SERVICES core functions including, but not limited to, the comprehensive management of the Crew Club program. The work of the Crew Club Coach will directly support RECREATION SERVICES programmatic efforts and initiatives to support its core values of Community, Excellence, Experience, Growth, and Integrity which align directly with two of KU's Institutional Priorities of Healthy and Vibrant Communities and Student Success.

The Crew Club Coach is a full-time unclassified, non-exempt position that will report to the Senior Assistant Director of Programs. This position is funded from Endowment funds through 6/30/2030 and an extension is dependent upon additional Endowment funds.

Programs within RECREATION SERVICES include Fitness, Intramurals, Sport Clubs, and Outdoor Pursuits. Fitness offers KU Fit group fitness with classes focused on cardio, strength, mind and body, Personal Training, and fitness assessments. Intramurals play team sports, team tournaments, and individual activities. Sport Clubs participate in a wide variety of competitive, recreational, and instructional sports. Outdoor Pursuits offers a rock-climbing wall and equipment rental center. Additional information can be found at www.recreation.ku.edu


Job Description
50% - Program Administration

• Recruit, train, and develop KU student-athletes to compete successfully against collegiate competition in a high-quality Men's and Women's Crew program.
• Plan and supervise KU Crew practices according to industry best practices, appropriate skill progression, risk management and safety as outlined by U.S. Rowing and Recreation Services.
• Establishes and maintains a collaborative oversight relationship with student club officers in the organization, planning, and competitive direction of the club while preserving student leadership opportunities and operational input.
• Work with Recreation Services administrative staff to arrange on and off-campus practices, competitions, and travel in compliance with departmental and KU policy.
• Supervise team at home and away competitions, providing necessary support to team members and ensuring appropriate team conduct.
• Complete and submit necessary paperwork and documentation regarding results, participation, practice and outlines in a timely fashion.
• Positively represent KU Crew in events, activities, and/or efforts to foster support for the club.

20% - Fundraising and Donor Development

• Develop and execute an annual fundraising plan to support operating costs, travel, equipment, and coaching for the Crew Club
• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward individual donors, alumni, parents, and friends of the program
• Track fundraising goals, progress, and outcomes; prepare regular reports for Recreation Services and Endowment Association administration
• Build and maintain strong, long-term relationships with current and prospective donors
• Coordinate donor recognition efforts, including acknowledgments, naming opportunities, and appreciation events
• Develop and oversee an alumni engagement strategy

15% - Equipment Management

• Work with Recreation Services administrative staff and Crew Club student officers to purchase equipment in accordance with department and university policy;
• Maintain equipment inventory to ensure equipment meets safety standards. Performs preventative maintenance and completes maintenance requests with Recreation Services when necessary.
• Perform and/or coordinate boat and equipment maintenance with Recreation Services staff as necessary.

10% - Risk Management

• Operate university and Crew Club vehicles and boat trailers according to state and university policy in order to transport athletes to practice and competition;
• Work with Crew Club student officers and Recreation Services administrative staff to ensure compliance with Sports Club procedures.
• Complete and submit necessary paperwork and documentation regarding accidents, incidents, in compliance with Recreation Services and KU policy.

5% - Other including, but not limited to:

• Serve on Recreation Services committees as needed .
• Develop a collaborative relationship with other departments across campus and participate on University committees to meet the goals of the Chancellor's Strategic Initiatives as assigned.
• Instruct CPR/AED trainings on a rotational basis.
• Assist with other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

1. Master's degree or Bachelors plus three years related experience. Degree depends upon area of discipline
2. Collegiate or club rowing coaching experience, as evidenced in application materials.
3. Experience managing complex organizations, teams, or multi-program operations, as evidenced in application materials.
4. US Rowing Level 1 Coaching certification or willingness to obtain within 6 months of hire.
5. Ability to drive shell trailer with competence or acquire within 6 months of hire.

This position requires a formal degree in the cited discipline area(s) to ensure that candidates have advanced knowledge, analytical skills and professional competencies necessary to perform the duties of the position. The level of degree is commonly recognized as the standard qualification for similar roles in the public and private sector, ensuring that the university remains competitive with industry aligned practices, enhances collaboration with external partners, and supports the delivery of services and programs that meet professional and market-driven expectations


Preferred Qualifications

1. Two or more years of competitive crew or varsity rowing coaching experience at the collegiate level, as evidenced by application materials.
2. US Rowing Level 2 or higher Coaching certification, as evidenced by application materials.
3. Fundraising, donor development, or nonprofit revenue generation experience, as evidenced by application materials.
4. Experience maintaining and repairing rowing equipment, as evidenced by application materials.
5. Ability or willingness to learn to drive boat trailer.
6. Experience in rowing club administration, as evidenced by application materials.
7. Experience in fundraising and donor development, as evidenced by application materials.
8. Success in recruiting new and experienced rowers, as evidenced by application materials.

Contact Information to Applicants
Jill Urkoski
785-864-0798
jurkoski@ku.edu
Additional Candidate Instruction
In addition to the online application, the following documents are required to be considered for this position:

• Cover letter describing how you meet the required and preferred qualifications.
• Resume
• List of three (3) professional references

Only complete applications will be considered.

Application review begins May 22, 2026. and will continue until a qualified pool of applicants are identified.
Advertised Salary Range
49,600-60,000
Application Review Begins
22-May-2026
Anticipated Start Date
01-Jul-2026
Primary Campus
University of Kansas Lawrence Campus
FTE
1.0
Reg/Temp
Regular
FLSA Status
Administrative
Employee Class
U-Unclassified Professional Staff
Work Location Assignment
On-Site
Disclaimer
The University of Kansas prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, ancestry, disability, status as a veteran, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, gender identity, gender expression, and genetic information in the university's programs and activities. Retaliation is also prohibited by university policy. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies and is the Title IX coordinator for all KU and KUMC campuses: Associate Vice Chancellor for the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX, civilrights@ku.edu, Room 1082, Dole Human Development Center, 1000 Sunnyside Avenue, Lawrence, KS 66045, 785-864-6414, 711 TTY.