UC San Diego Crew Camps
Coaching Staff

Assistant Coach Jack Vallerga

Jack Vallerga has been with the UCSD rowing program for 34 seasons, including being the head coach from 1974-1999. Vallerga began his tenure as a member of the Triton coaching staff in 1974, and he coached both the men’s and women’s teams. By the 1980 season, the men’s and women’s teams had grown to the point that it was decided to create separate coaching positions for the teams. At that point, Vallerga decided to continue as the women’s coach.

As head coach, Vallerga developed the rowing program into one of the most successful in the West. In his final year as head coach, 1999, he was named WIRA Coach of the Year.

Vallerga is a graduate of UC Santa Barbara, where he competed as a coxswain between 1967 and 1971. He earned his secondary teaching credential at San Diego State in 1974, and has been a teacher with the San Diego City Schools since that time.

Assistant Coach Liz Record

Liz Record was the assistant coach for UC San Diego women’s crew from 2005-2009. During her time as a Triton coach, she was instrumental in the novice rowing team's success.
 
In 2006-2007, Record helped the rowing team to a novice eight grand finals appearance and a novice lightweight four third-place finish at the Western Intercollegiate Rowing Association Championships. During the 2005-2006 season, Record coached the novice squad to an undefeated dual season and first-place finishes at Berg Cup and San Diego City Championships. The 2005-2006 team also placed second at the WIRA Championships.
 
Record spent her four years as an undergraduate at UCSD competing as a rower, earning the team's Heart and Hustle award for the 2002-2003 season and being named the Most Inspirational Rower for the 2004-2005 campaign. She graduated with a management science major and a communications minor. In May 2007, Record earned a Master of Arts degree in sports management from the University of San Francisco.
 
Throughout her time as a student and coach, Record assisted the athletic department in game management for a wide range of sports. She was also fundamental to the growth and success of the annual San Diego "Row for the Cure" held in collaboration with the Susan G. Komen Foundation. Until her departure the event had raised over $100,000, including $35,000 in 2008.

Liz now lives in Austin, TX and coaches at Austin Rowing Club. Specifically she coaches the masters team, the “Olympics Crew of 2038."

Assistant Coach Julia White-Hoppe

Julia White-Hoppe, a member of the U.S. National Team from 2005-2007 and former coach with the Oregon State University women's rowing team has been named the top assistant coach for UCSD women’s crew.

In addition to coaching the novice squad, White-Hoppe will assist with the varsity, handle recruiting duties, and oversee regatta preparation and management.

"We are pleased to welcome Julia to our staff," Pinkerton said. "We had a very strong candidate pool and Julia's rowing and coaching background proved to be an extraordinary fit. Her experience in Princeton ties in with our commitment to the scholar athlete and her elite rowing background will be a tremendous asset for us on the water. She is bringing outstanding personal resources to our program."

White-Hoppe comes to UCSD after serving as volunteer coach with the Oregon State women's rowing team during the 2008-09 season. Prior to that, White-Hoppe coached The Hun School of Princeton varsity girl's rowing team in 2008 and the novice boy's rowing squad from 2005 to 2007.

A four-year varsity athlete at Oregon State, White-Hoppe was a two-time first team NCAA All-American and served as team captain during her junior and senior seasons. After training with the U.S. National Rowing Team from 2002-04, White-Hoppe became a full-time elite rower with the National squad following her collegiate career.

A native of Medford, Oregon, White-Hoppe graduated from OSU in 2004 with a degree in Art History. She also earned Oregon State's Benny Award in 2004 for her athletic achievements and served as a member of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee from 2001 to 2004.

"Having an opportunity to be with a team that has done really well in the past and has room for growth is very exciting," White-Hoppe said. "It's always fun working with novices. They are just so excited about the sport and you get to teach them everything from scratch."