Since he was named head rowing coach at Bates in March 2009, Peter Steenstra has turned the program into the finest in Division III. Bates women's rowing has competed in the NCAA Championships in every year, including six second-place finishes and four NCAA Division III championships in the last five seasons -- 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.

Here’s Peter Steenstra on why he coaches.