WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ - Monmouth University Director of Athletics Jeff Stapleton, after consulting with the University's Trustees, has announced that women's rowing has been chosen as the school's 24th NCAA Division I sport with regular season competition starting in Fall 2022.
 
"We are excited about the addition of a women's rowing program and the ability to provide additional opportunities for female student-athletes here at Monmouth," Stapleton said. "I am thankful for President Leahy, the Board of Trustees and Dr. Marilyn McNeil for their hard work and support in helping make this announcement possible. Monmouth's close proximity to the water and the shore provides a natural fit to add women's rowing to our athletic department and we are thrilled to partner with our local community as we build a championship program."

Scott Belford has been hired as the program's first head coach and will begin his tenure at Monmouth immediately. 

"Scott elevated himself above a talented pool of candidates and is the right person to lead us through this new challenge," Stapleton added. "His experience building a program from the ground up, knowledge of the local waterways and rowing community and passion for the sport are unmatched, and we can't wait to work together and build this program the right way." 

"I am so pleased to be adding women's rowing to our impressive roster of Division I sports at Monmouth," University President Patrick F. Leahy stated. "This is a strategic investment both in athletics and academic excellence, and will help to serve our growing number of women students enrolled at Monmouth. Newly hired head coach Scott Belford is an outstanding addition to our athletics coaching staff. His keen understanding of high school recruitment and deep knowledge of the Navesink and Shrewsbury Rivers will be a tremendous asset as we develop this significant new program."

Belford comes to Monmouth following an 18-year run as the head coach of varsity crew at nearby Christian Brothers Academy, where he started the program in 2004. Belford has built CBA into a rowing power and oversaw all aspects of the program, including budget, fundraising, scheduling, travel, equipment and staff. 

In addition to his success at CBA, Belford has experience at all levels of the sport. He founded Monmouth Junior Rowing Club in 2017, has coached the United States Junior National Team on multiple occasions and has spent time as an assistant coach in the Ivy League with Penn (2000-03) and Princeton (1999-00). Other coaching duties for Belford include his stint as the Head Coach of Women's Rowing at Nike Sports Camps in Philadelphia for three summers, Master Coach at Northeast Rowing Center for two years and the Junior Rowing Head Coach at Navesink River Rowing Club. Belford began his coaching career as the head coach at William & Mary in 1998 after his graduation from Rutgers, where he was a team captain and four-year member of the lightweight crew team. 

"I want to thank President Leahy, Jeff Stapleton and the search committee for placing their faith in me," Belford said. "Building an NCAA Division I women's rowing program from the ground up is a once in a lifetime opportunity, and one that I am extremely grateful for. I look forward to creating a program that lives up to the outstanding athletic and academic traditions here at Monmouth University and cannot wait to get started."

Currently, 10 teams compete in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, including five full-time member institutions. Canisius, Fairfield, Iona, Manhattan and Marist all sponsor women's rowing, with Drake, Jacksonville, Robert Morris, Sacred Heart and Stetson competing as associate members.