Kim Cupini

Position: Head Coach (5th season) E-Mail/Phone: kcupini@sandiego.edu/260-5923

Kim Cupini has wasted little time in establishing USD rowing as one of the top collegiate programs on the west coast. After leading the Toreros to their first-ever West Coast Conference championship in 2010, Cupini's squad followed it up with their second-consecutive WCC crown in 2011 after sweeping all three events. The Toreros also won the All Points Trophy at the 2011 Western Intercollegiate Rowing Association regatta for the first time in program history, taking gold in the V8, novice 8, and second novice 8. Cupini has garnered WCC Coach of the Year honors the past three seasons, while also taking home WIRA Coach of the Year recognition in 2009 and 2010.

Under Cupini's direction, the Toreros have placed 13 athletes on All-WCC teams, including two-time WCC Coxswain of the Year Allyn Delozier. Also under Cupini, seven USD rowers have been named Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association All West-Region. Academically, Cupini has overseen a Torero program that has had 15 rowers earn WCC All-Academic distinction and 17 CRCA Scholar-Athletes. In addition, 26 Toreros were named to the WCC Commissioner's Honor Roll in 2011 for having GPAs of at least 3.0.

In 2009, Cupini oversaw a team that finished in the top four in all events, with highlights stemming from the West Coast Conference Championships and Western Intercollegiate Rowing Association Regatta, as well as successfully defending the Berg Cup with a first-place finish by the Second Varsity 8 squad. At the WCC Championships for the 2009 season, the team finished second place overall, capturing a gold medal in the Varsity 4 division while taking home the silver in both the Varsity 8 and Second Varsity 8 races. Cupini and the Toreros followed up their conference performance by medaling in all Varsity events at the WIRA Championships, with a silver medal finish from the Second Varsity 8 and two bronze medal finishes from the Varsity 4 and Varsity 8. Through Cupini's leadership, five Toreros were honored as All-WIRA performers, including three first-team members. The team finished the 2009 season strong in the prestigious Dad Vail Regatta in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Advancing to the grand finals, the Second Varsity 8 captured the silver medal while the Varsity 8 finished fourth.

In her first season, Cupini led the Toreros to more top finishes in other regattas across the nation. The Toreros captured the gold in the Berg Cup, the San Diego City Championship, and the Row for the Cure. The team went on to place second in the Cal Cup event at the San Diego Crew Classic. They were only 1.1 seconds shy of the gold. Cupini also led the team to a second place finish at the West Coast Conference Championships. At Conference, the Toreros showed their depth racing to a second place finish in each event; the Varsity 4, Second Varsity 8, and the Varsity 8. The Toreros concluded the 2008 season making the grand finals at the Dad Vail Regatta. Following the 2008 season, Cupini was asked to assist with the Junior National Team Development Camp in Connecticut to prepare athletes for the Junior National Team and the Junior World Championships.

Within the Athletic Department at USD, under the guidance of Cupini, the rowing team received the Torero Champs Challenge award. This award was given to the team who showed the highest level of dedication to community service and involvement in San Diego, and an equally high level of support for other USD athletic events.

Before Cupini's arrival to the University of San Diego as Head Coach in 2007, she was the Varsity Assistant Coach at the University of Central Florida. During the 2006-2007 Season, UCF recorded its best results in program history, being one of only sixteen teams to earn a NCAA Championship berth. During the season, the Varsity 8 received its first national ranking at No. 9 and the team went on to finish third in the South Region. The squad also claimed the overall point trophy at the Southern Intercollegiate Rowing Association (SIRA) Championships. Individually, Cupini received a Scholar-Athlete Inspirational Award in the spring of 2007, which was nominated by UCF's first ever National Scholar-Athlete and All-American Krystina Sarff.

During the 2005-2006 Season at Central Florida, Cupini assisted the Varsity 8 in earning its first ever top 20 ranking in the USRowing/CRCA Coaches' Poll. That same year the team claimed its highest team ranking to date finishing fourth in its region at the South/Central Regional Championship. Cupini also coached the Varsity 4 to wins over Michigan, UCLA, Notre Dame, Louisville, Columbia, Syracuse, Miami, and Clemson. Cupini was nominated for South Region Assistant Coach of the Year in 2006.

As a former assistant at the University of San Diego in 2004, Cupini assisted the Toreros to a second place finish at the WCC Championship in the 2004-2005 Season and boosted the largest varsity returning roster in program history. In addition to her coaching responsibilities, Cupini served as the assistant in the Student-Athlete Academic Support Program.

As an alumni of USD and a former Torero Rower, Cupini was a three-time MVP (2001-2003), a two-time Western Intercollegiate Rowing Association All-Conference pick (2002 and 2003), and a two-time All-WCC performer (2001 and 2003). In 2003, she was the recipient of the Leadership and Contribution to Student Life Award. During her rowing career at USD, she also served as co-captain, made the WCC All-Academic Team, was voted most inspirational athlete, and received the Best Effort award. Cupini graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies and a minor in Business Administration.

Cupini began her rowing career in her hometown of Rochester, NY as a member of Pittsford Rowing Club during its inaugural season. Cupini's Varsity 8 placed second at the New York State Championship and went on to compete at the Junior Nationals in their first year of competition. Today, Cupini has received the highest USRowing Coaching Certification, Level III, and continues to participate in the USRA Advanced Coaching Series.