CHESTERTOWN, Md. – Washington College Assistant Vice President & Director of Athletics
Thad Moore has named
Evan Clayton as the new head sailing coach and director of sailing. Clayton, who served as the sailing team's contact this past fall, will be in his second stint with the program as he served as an assistant coach from 2016-21. Since 2021, Clayton has been the College's Coordinator of Campus Recreation.
"I am honored to step into the role of the director of sailing and head sailing coach," states Clayton. "I'd like to thank Athletic Director Thad Moore for this opportunity and the Athletics Department for their support as I transition into this new role. I look forward to continuing to work with our sailors to ensure their success on and off the water. This team has great potential and I can't wait to get out on the water and start our season with a home regatta on the Chester River in March."
"We couldn't be happier to welcome Evan back to our sailing program," says Moore. "He was a tremendous assistant for us a couple of years ago and went above and beyond this past fall in helping us navigate the fall season. We are looking forward to him growing not only the program but also other sailing activities down at Hodson Boathouse."
From 2015-21, Clayton served as the fleet captain for the Magothy River Sailing Association's junior training program. In that role, he was responsible for the planning and registration of the two-week long program, contracting instructors, providing management and supervision, overseeing lessons, and working with parents and volunteers.
Clayton spent eight summers, 2008-15, as a sailing instructor for Chesapeake Sailing School, teaching both children and adults, and six summers, 2010-15, as an instructor for the Magothy River Sailing Association's junior training program.
Clayton has also sailed competitively and has experience with numerous boats, including the Flying Juniors, 420s, and Lasers prominently used in collegiate sailing.
A May 2009 graduate of Virginia Tech with a B.A. in History, he received his American Sailing Association 201 Instructor Certification in June 2013 and US Sailing level 1 Certification in 2020.
Washington College starts its spring season on March 2-3 at home in the Tom Noble Team Race on the Chester River.
