Bernhard Stomporowski to Lead Penn AC High Performance Rowing
“Penn AC is excited to welcome Bernhard Stomporowski as the High Performance Head Coach and Director of Programs. He brings a wealth of high performance knowledge to the position,” says club president Christopher Reich.
“As we continue to develop athletes to make the U.S. national team and win medals on the International stage, we believe Bernhard is perfectly primed to bring Penn AC to the next level. I am excited, the club is excited, and the athletes are excited!”
Stomporowski moved to Philadelphia having spent the several previous years in Sarasota, FL, rebuilding a competitive junior program.
“Penn AC has been an important part of American rowing for many years because of its commitment to athletes, its great history, and its strong partnership with USRowing. What excites me especially is the way the club supports rowers at every stage of their development, from juniors and masters athletes to Junior Gold, and the opportunities it provides for U23 athletes. At a time when strong club environments are more important than ever, Penn AC continues to provide a real home for athletes, coaches, and the wider rowing community,” says Stomporowski.
“This vision means a lot to me personally.”
A native of Braunschweig, Germany, Stomporowski competed in the lightweight men's eight where was part of the 1998 world champion crew, in Köln. He won silver in 1987, in Copenhagen, and bronze in 1992, in Montreal. He raced in the lightweight men’s four without coxswain, winning the 1989 world championships, in Bled, and 1990, in Tasmania. He also won bronze medals in the same category in 1994, in Indianapolis, and 1995, in Tampere. He was part of the German LM4- that finished fifth in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.
Following his competitive career, Stomporowski trained rowers in Switzerland from 2002–2008 before coaching in Canada for several years. He was named head coach at the California Rowing Club in 2011, and coached U.S. athletes Kristin Hedstrom and Katie Bertko to a silver medal in the lightweight women’s double at the 2013 World Rowing Championships. He coached several U.S. athletes who competed in the 2016 Rio Olympics. He also coached national level programs in China and Brazil.
“Throughout my career, I have been passionate not only about helping athletes reach their goals, but also about mentoring coaches and building programs that create long-term success. Some of the most rewarding moments for me have come from seeing athletes and coaches develop together, support one another, and achieve things they once thought were out of reach. That is what makes this opportunity at Penn AC so exciting.
“I am looking forward to bringing the experiences and lessons I have gained over the years to Penn AC, helping build on the club's outstanding legacy while creating a positive and ambitious environment for athletes and coaches at all levels of the sport,” Stomporowski says.
“I am excited to help strengthen that foundation, support Penn AC's partnership with USRowing, and do my part to ensure that the club remains a place where athletes, coaches, and programs can grow, succeed, and thrive for many years to come,” he added.
About the Penn Athletic Club Rowing Association
Founded in 1871 on Philadelphia’s historic Boathouse Row, the Pennsylvania Athletic Club Rowing Association (“Penn AC”) is a premier rowing organization dedicated to elite athletic excellence and community development. As a cornerstone of American rowing, Penn AC provides world-class training, coaching, and facilities for competitive athletes aiming for national and international podiums, including the Olympic Games. Beyond elite competition, the club fosters leadership, teamwork, and a lifelong passion for the sport through its diverse development programs. Penn AC remains committed to advancing the legacy of rowing while inspiring the next generation of athletes on the Schuylkill River.