Mercyhurst University Athletics

Interim head coach Jamie Francis welcomes Mercyhurst alumni Josh Karney ’04 as an assistant rowing coach.  Karney began rowing at Mercyhurst back in 2001 as a sophomore transfer student.  The former competitive swimmer and runner from the Buffalo, New York area took quickly to rowing and it wasn’t long until he was racing as a Laker.  A top rowing highlight while at Mercyhurst was a nearly undefeated senior year in the Lightweight 8, finishing off his college career with a silver medal at ECAC National Invitational in 2004.

Since college, Karney has continued to row and compete nationally while living in Chicago, with top finishes at USRowing Club Nationals, USRowing Masters Nationals, and Head of the Charles among other regattas as a lightweight rower for Lincoln Park Boat Club.  He has served as a Team Captain since 2010 and has overseen the merging of the women’s and men’s teams as well as increasing the visibility of LPBC with participation and top finishes at races across the United States for both women’s and men’s lineups.

While competing himself, Karney has served as Assistant Coach for North Suburban Crew, an all-girls high school rowing club for the past seven years.  While at North Suburban Crew, he coached two boats to USRowing Youth National Championships in both the Lightweight 4 and Lightweight 8.