Cambridge, Mass. (February 8) -- Amelia Patton has been named as the MIT women's lightweight crew head coach, as announced by Dr. G. Anthony Grant, MIT director of athletics/DAPER department head. She replaces Claire Martin-Doyle, who resigned earlier this week.
 
"I am excited to have Amelia as our new women's lightweight crew head coach," said Dr. Grant. "She has done a great job with the student-athletes over her 16 seasons as an assistant coach and I am very confident that she will continue to build on our success for years to come."
 
Patton moves to the head coach position after serving as the program's assistant coach for the previous 16 seasons. During her time with the Engineers, the team has earned four gold medals at the Dad Vail Regatta, advanced to the IRA National Championship for the last nine seasons that it was held and captured the IRA National Championship in the lightweight 4 race.
 
Prior to joining the staff at MIT, Patton spent three years coaching the novice girls team at Brookline High School, where her boats won state championships in 2004 and 2006.
 
"I'm excited about taking on the role of head coach for the lightweight women's team," said Patton. "I want to thank Claire for her years of service to the program and for the strong program she leaves behind. I also want to thank Dr. Grant and Tony Kilbridge for the opportunity, and I'm eager to get back to racing this spring."
 
Patton earned her Master's degree in Applied Anatomy and Physiology from Boston University, while previously graduating from Duke University with a Bachelor's degree in sociology. While at Duke, she was a four-year member of the varsity eight boat for the Blue Devils. During her career, she was named to the All-South Region Team three-times and won the collegiate lightweight title at CRASH-B Sprints.
 
In addition to her work with the MIT program, Patton is on the Board of Directors for both the CRASH-B Sprints and the Riverside Boat Club in Cambridge.
 
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