MEDFORD – The Tufts University Department of Athletics has removed the interim status of rowing coaches George Munger and Lily Siddall heading into the 2024-25 season. Munger has been promoted to Director of Rowing and Siddall to head coach of the women’s team.
“Without question, the decision to remove the ‘interim tag’ from George Munger‘s and Lily Siddall‘s titles is among the easiest I’ve had to make at Tufts,” said Director of Athletics John Morris. “Over the last year, Lily and George have led our crew teams to unprecedented success on the water, highlighted in the fall by a sweep of the Head of the Charles and in the spring by two top-3 national finishes and an NCAA championship for the women’s team. But more important, they have consistently modeled the values of Tufts University, and they are great colleagues and leaders who work so hard to provide our student-athletes with the best possible experience. George and Lily make an outstanding team, and I’m so excited to watch our crew teams continue to thrive under their leadership.”
Munger, the men’s rowing head coach since 2019, and Siddall were both named to interim positions as leaders of the Jumbos when previous Director of Rowing and women’s head coach Noel Wanner left Tufts for a position at Dartmouth College in August 2023. Munger and Siddall and Munger led the Jumbos to unprecedented success during the 2023-24 season. Both teams won the Collegiate Eights event at the prestigious Head of the Charles Regatta in the fall, setting up for strong spring seasons. Tufts’ women went on to win its first-ever NCAA and NESCAC titles in the spring. The men’s team was the national runner-up at the IRA Division III Championship.
“I am honored to continue working with Tufts Rowing, with whom my first nine years with the program have been very special,” said Munger, who also helped guide the Jumbos to a Points Trophy victory at the New England Rowing Championships in May. “I am grateful for the previous head coaches and program directors who I shared the boathouse with – Noel Wanner, Brian Dawe and Gary Caldwell. They have been my mentors and have done so much to set the program on a successful trajectory. I am thankful for the support of our athletic department staff and administrators, John Morris, Alexis Mastronardi and Matt McMasters, who are all committed to creating memorable competitive opportunities for the athletes of Tufts Rowing. I am proud of the athletes that have given their effort and attention to the program, and cannot wait to see what we create together in the years to come.”
Under Siddall’s guidance, the Tufts women were the #1 team in the Pocock CRCA Poll for most of the spring season. The Jumbos also won the Points Trophy at the New England Rowing Championships and at the National Invitational Rowing Championships.
“I’m incredibly honored to be named the next head coach of Tufts women’s rowing,” Siddall said “This past year as interim was amazing and I can’t wait to keep building with the team. Tufts is a place where student-athletes can thrive both academically and athletically and I can’t wait for this next step.”
Promoted to head coach of the Tufts University men’s rowing team during the summer 2019, Munger led the Jumbos to IRA national berths in 2022 – when the team placed second in first varsity racing – and 2023. He was previously an assistant coach for the Jumbos for three years starting in 2016, serving as recruiting coordinator. Siddall was a key member of the Jumbo women’s coaching staff for two previous NCAA qualifying seasons in 2022 and 2023. She is entering her sixth season at Tufts. She joined the Jumbo staff for the 2019-20 season.
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