Sept. 25, 2000

KINGSTON, R.I. - Former Olympian and University of Rhode Island graduate Julia Chilicki has been named the head women's rowing coach at URI, announced today.

Chilicki, who was a record-holding swimmer at URI between 1989 and 1993, competed at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta as a member United States rowing team in the quadruple sculls.

"We are very proud to have someone of Julia's caliber on our coaching staff," said URI Associate Athletic Director Lauren Anderson, who headed the search committee. "She has represented the university and the United States on the highest level of competition. This is very exciting for our women's rowing program."

Chilicki returns to URI where she excelled for the Rams' swim team under head coach Mick Westkott, serving as team captain while setting numerous records that have since been broken. She also served as assistant swim coach on Westkott's staff during the 1993-94 season. Chilicki graduated from URI with a bachelor's degree in sociology in 1994.

Chilicki began her rowing career in 1993. She competed for the U.S. National Rowing team from 1993 to 1996 and again in 1998. In 1998, she captured the U.S. National Championship in the women's singles and was the women's singles winner at the Head of the Charles in Cambridge, Mass. Chilicki was the runner-up at the 2000 Olympic Trials.

After competing in the Olympics, Chilicki served as an assistant swimming coach at Springfield College and was also an assistant crew coach at Harvard. A native of Connecticut, she was chosen as one of the top-100 athletes of the century in that state this year.