DURHAM, N.C. – Duke University Vice President and Director of Athletics Nina King announced Friday the hiring of Adrian Spracklen as the head coach of the rowing program. Spracklen, who spent the last 32 years as the director of rowing at Mercyhurst University, is the Blue Devils’ third head coach in the program’s history.
“We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Coach Spracklen and his family to Duke University,” King said. “His championship experience across multiple levels within the rowing landscape coupled with a steadfast commitment to the well-being of each student-athlete made him the ideal candidate for Duke. Coach Spracklen’s knowledge, drive and passion, fueled by his well-documented family history, will be instrumental elements in the future successes of the young women in our program, both on and off the water.”
Spracklen comes to Durham after serving as the women’s rowing head coach at Mercyhurst University since 1992. He later took over the men’s program as the head coach in 1998.
“I couldn’t be more excited to lead the next chapter in the storied tradition of Duke Rowing,” said Spracklen. “Duke’s philosophy and culture resonate deeply with me, and I am confident in my ability to elevate the program and help it ascend the national rankings. The student-athletes are committed to excelling both academically and athletically, and Duke’s genuine support for their drive to be the best is truly inspiring.”
A native of Marlow, England, Spracklen has proven his success as both an athlete on the British National Team and as a coach, earning NCAA Division II National Coach of the Year honors in 2004, 2009, 2010 and 2022.
Under Spracklen’s guidance, the Lakers women’s rowing team made 18 appearances at the NCAA Division II National Championships, including three national titles in 2004, 2010 and 2022, as well as runner-up finishes in 2005, 2009, 2011, 2015, 2020 and 2024. He developed 24 Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association (CRCA) First Team All-Americans and 36 Academic All-Americans. With his assistance, the women’s varsity eight also won four consecutive Dad Vail titles between 2009 and 2012, while adding another in 2023. The women’s lightweight eight won three straight Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Championships from 2000-2002 and placed fourth at the Intercollegiate Rowing Association (IRA) Division I Championships in 2002.
After taking over the men’s program in 1998, the Lakers men’s team has become equally successful, capturing eight Dad Vail trophies during the last 10 years. The men’s lightweight eight became the first boat in program history to win three consecutive Dad Vail Championships (2010-2012). In 2018, the lightweight men swept Dartmouth College in the First Varsity Eight and Second Varsity Eight races for the first time in school history. In 2019, the lightweight men advanced to the grand final race at the IRA Championships.
The Lakers have also experienced success abroad, competing at the prestigious Royal Henley Regatta in England in 2009, 2013 and 2017. In 2009, the Lakers made an historic run defeating two ranked crews on their way to the final, where they fell to a top boat from Oxford University.
From 2015-2016, Spracklen took a sabbatical from Mercyhurst to coach the Women’s Russian Olympic Rowing team. Under his leadership, the Russian women’s eight crew won the bronze medal at both the World Cup, held in Varese, Italy, and the European Rowing Championships in Brandenburg, Germany.
Through Spracklen’s guidance, several Mercyhurst rowers have made appearances on their respective national teams, including Michael Orzolek (2009 U23 World Rowing Championships), Amanda Carlyon (2012 USRowing ID Camp Invite), Galen Bernick and Danny Madden (2016 U23 World Rowing Championships) and Ivan Palikuca (2018 Serbian National Team).
Spracklen is also a Clinical Instructor for USRowing and has spoken at numerous national conventions and conducted coaching clinics across the country. His coaching talents have taken him to India and Canada in various roles. He has also worked with the US National Team’s medical staff since 1995.
He began rowing at the age of eight under the direction of his father, Mike Spracklen, a legendary British rowing coach who guided teams from Great Britain, Canada and the United States to success at the Olympics and World Rowing Championships, and was chosen as the International Rowing Federation Coach of the Year in 2002.
A 1990 graduate of Mercyhurst, Spracklen earned a bachelor’s degree in sport medicine before going on to earn his master’s in sport medicine and athletic training from Western Michigan University in 1991.
He is married to fellow Mercyhurst graduate, Mia Urycki, and has four children: Henley, Teagan, Luca and Rowan.
“I extend my heartfelt thanks to Athletics Director Nina King, Heather Ryan and Dave Harding for their support and for making me feel so welcome,” Spracklen said. “This is an incredible opportunity, and I am eager to embark on this journey, creating memorable experiences and achieving great things together. I can’t wait to get started.”
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