Peter Steenstra

Biography

Since he was named head rowing coach at Bates in March 2009, Peter Steenstra has led the program into undoubtedly one of the finest in Division III. Bates women's rowing has competed in the NCAA Championships in every year, including seven second-place finishes and five NCAA Division III championships (2015, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2021) -- the only Bobcats in Bates College history to win a national team championship. In 2019, the women's rowing first varsity eight won its third straight (and fourth overall) gold medal in the collegiate eights race at the world-famous Head of the Charles Regatta. And in 2018, the men's rowing team became the first in NESCAC history to compete at the prestigious IRA National Championship regatta. Under Steenstra's leadership, the Bates women won five straight NESCAC championships from 2017-2022. The women have claimed seven NESCAC titles in the last nine seasons and the men have won four NESCAC titles in the last eight. Steenstra has vast experience in rowing, beginning with his career on the men's varsity eight at Hobart College, where he graduated in 1996. Steenstra coached the men's and women's novice crews at Colby College for three years, then was the head coach of the men's and women's crew club at The Ohio State University from 1999 to 2006. Steenstra also coached at Cornell University, first as varsity assistant coach of the heavyweight men and then as the assistant women's coach, while earning a master of science degree in sports managem