Coach Bios:

Emily Close

Coach Emily rowed all 4 years of high school out of Bachelors Barge Club in Philadelphia. She went on to row at Jacksonville University from 2009-2013. 

Her coaching career began the same place she first found her passion for rowing, Bachelors Barge Club. She started coaching there over the summers throughout her undergraduate time at Jacksonville University. She also spent a summer coaching WYRA summer camps in 2013. 

After graduating from Jacksonville, Emily served as the graduate assistant at La Salle University under Tom Madden from 2013 until Spring 2017.  There, she worked with novices and filled in with the varsity boats as needed. Coach Emily is excited to be a part of Great Valley Crew.  As a neighbor in the West Chester area, Great Valley Crew poses an exciting opportunity for her to continue to build our new program and instilling the foundations of rowing and passion for the sport onto our team.

Tyler Painter

Coach Tyler is a Level II SRAA Certified Coach. Rowing runs deep in his family, Tyler has been on the water for most of his childhood.  

Tyler rowed for Upper Merion High School’s crew team for all 4 years.  He has a total of 7 years rowing experience both before and after his high school rowing tenure. He rowed for one year at Rochester Institute of Technology.

Tyler has studied metals and jewelry design for three years, he is currently completing his college degree in sculptural design at Temple University’s Tyler School of Art. Coach Tyler is dedicated, knowledgeable and focused on training for progression.  

Lindsay Ackerman 

Coach Lindsay is a Temple graduate and majored in Art Education.  She is currently a teacher and a competitive athlete.  She teaches art for elementary, middle and high school levels and still rows competitively.  

Lindsay's passion for rowing began in high school. She competed first in water polo, but after a bad concussion she started the crew program at her high school and rowed for two years. Lindsay also rowed and swam for Temple University's Crew and Swim teams.

In addition to teaching and being an athlete herself, Lindsay also has coaching experience. She coached high school rowing and summer learn to rows.

Lindsay will bringing energy, experience and skills to sharpen our rowers. She is eager to coach our athletes and motivate them to the next level!

Andrew Di Maggio – Volunteer / Guest Coach

Coach Andrew found his passion for rowing as a college walk-on at St Joseph's University.  An avid baseball player in high school, Andrew quickly turned his focus and dedication to rowing and never looked back. He received multiple academic awards across his four years; including being named to the Philadelphia Inquirer Academic All-Area Team, and the SJU Athletic Director’s Honor Roll. He rowed Saint Joseph's University from 2012-2016.

Coach Andrew is also our only volunteer coach, giving back to the sport he loves but this year we may see less of him as he now works and lives in Center City Philadelphia. He is no longer right on the Christina River.  We wish him the nest and will see some of him on weekends and at regattas cheering our athletes on!

Sean Brophy – Crossfit Inspire Spring Coach

Coach Sean is a Crossfit Inspire coach who made a big impact on our team with his drive, push and overall love of fitness and wellness.  He has his Level 1 coaching certificate and is a fantastic coach and leader by his examples of hard work and dedication as well as his coaching style. We are so happy to have him every Wednesday as our land coach. Sean is definitely dedicated to training himself, and training others. His work ethic shows and is contagious.