In the Launch with Alicea Strodel

Head Coach Alicea Strodel once worked under Athletic Director Mark Coyle when they were both at Syracuse University. Now, a few years later, she has Joined Coyle in the Maroon and Gold. A collegiate rower herself, Strodel brings a wealth of wisdom experience and to her first head coaching job.

Gopher Sports: Why did you decide to come to Minnesota?
Alicea Strodel: I very much wanted to be a head coach. When Minnesota reached out to me about this job, I was eager to learn more. Once I came to campus and saw the resources, understood how strong the athletic department is as a whole and academics on campus are, I felt like it was a hidden gem. I didn't even know it existed being an east-coaster all my life, I didn't know that Minneapolis was such a vibrant city, the parks, the lake, the river. I didn't know that campus was successful in all these ways that it is. It seemed like a great place to come and work and build a program.

GS: What has it been like working under Mark Coyle again?
AS: When I came, there was a sense of familiarity. Having that connection with Mark, has made the transition easier.  I really enjoy working for him. It's nice when your boss knows you on that level. It also made the decision easier to make knowing that I am coming here and people new my background and where I was coming from.

GS: What was your college rowing experience like?
AS: I walked on a Syracuse, so very similar to the path many of our rowers take. My background prior to that was in swimming and basketball in high school. During my sophomore year I made the Varsity 8 and we started going to the NCAAs. At the end of my career, we were ranked as high as fifth in the country. It was a great experience. I still keep in touch with all of the women that I rowed with and my former coach. That experience, along with my time on camps, defined who I really am now.

GS: How has the transition been to Minnesota with your family?
AS: It's been great. I have three children and they have all transitioned really well. My two older ones are in elementary school and are enjoying their school experience and are making friends. My youngest one is a little commander and runs the roost and doing well. My family really enjoys the city. We just went to the Children's Museum in St. Paul and have gone to the sculpture garden and are getting out and about. We moved here not just because of what I felt like we could do on the rowing side, but we thought for our family that this would be an awesome place to raise our family.

GS: What do you like to do outside of rowing? What are you like outside of rowing?
AS: I'm with the kids a lot, but I also like reading. I like music. At my heart of hearts i am a homebody. My husband likes to go out and about and is more social. I like being at home, hanging out and cooking meals.

GS: How did being a college athlete impact how you coach?
AS: Aa former female athlete, I feel like I am able to relate to these women. I remember what it was like to go through everything they are going through. It allows me to relate to them. Going from a walk-on to not having a background in rowing and knowing that hard work pays off allows me to project that from a place of experience.

GS: What was your path to coaching like?
AS: As an undergrad, my degree was in computer science. I had an internship between my junior and senior year at a start-up software company. I was in cubicle debugging the whole time. It was just me in a cubicle with a computer trying to read code. During my senior year, my coach, Chris Stamford, sister coached at the University of Connecticut and was looking for a grad assistant. That allowed me an opportunity to pivot and go into graduate school in something I was more passionate about. I coached rowing at UCONN and got my masters in sport management. That allowed me to dabble in coaching. From there, I did go into the real world. I had to get an internship for my sport management degree, so I interned at Boston College in their development office. Once in Boston, I stayed there and worked for a little bit. When the assistant position opened at Syracuse, my former coach reached out and asked if I would like to come back. It was perfect timing. 

Quick Hits:
Favorite food? Chicken paprikash, it's a Hungarian dish.
Dream Vacation? I would like to go to New Zealand.
Best Pizza Topping? Artichokes.
If you could have played another sport, what would it have been? Gymnastics. I really like watching that sport.
Dogs or cats? I'm not really a pet person, but dogs I guess.