In 1968 William H. Austin took the helm as coach of the Marist College Crew team. Prior to that Austin, was the crew and swimming coach at Poughkeepsie High School. For Mr. Austin, coaching Marist oarsmen was his first experience coaching college rowers.

Austin had successful seasons with his high school team. The Poughkeepsie team he coached achieved eleven wins and three losses in dual meets.

During his time at Marist, Austin built up the recruiting of high school athletes from perennial high school rowing powerhouses along the East Coast. His recruiting paid off with the 1972 Marist Freshman Heavyweights winning the Dad Vail regatta.

In 1974 Austin was selected as one of 15 delegates representing the United States at the Federation Internationale de Society D’Aviron (FISA) International Coaches Conference held in Toronto, Canada.

A graduate of Trenton State College, Austin, then attended Indiana University, where he received his master's in physical education.

Assistant Coaches

Bill Lenehan - Freshman Men’s Coach 1968 - 1971

Tom Haight - Lightweight Men’s Coach 1970 - 1972

Bill Lenehan - Freshman & Lightweight Men’s Coach 1972 - 1974

Joe McHugh - Freshman Men’s Coach 1974 - 1976

Joe Eckelman - Lightweight Men’s Coach 1974 - 1976