Coaches

Due in large part to Sauer's tireless devotion to Virginia women's rowing, the Cavaliers made an immediate impact at the Division I level. In just its second season of varsity competition in 1997, Virginia finished fourth at the inaugural NCAA Rowing Championships.

The following year, UVa's second varsity eight finished first at the 1998 NCAA Championships, leading the Cavaliers to a third-place finish overall. At the 1999 NCAAs, the second varsity eight defended its national title and the Cavaliers tied for first overall but were awarded the second-place trophy by virtue of a tie-breaker. Virginia won silver medals in both the varsity eight and varsity four races at the championship regatta.

In 2000, UVa hosted and won the first ACC Women's Rowing Championship, while finishing third overall at the NCAAs. Virginia won its second consecutive ACC Championship and made its fifth consecutive NCAA appearance in 2001. UVa continued to win the ACC title in 2002 and 2003, finishing fourth at the NCAA Championships in 2002 and sixth in 2003. UVa won the ACC championship for the fifth consecutive year in 2004 and tied for sixth in the team competition at the NCAA Championships. In addition, the Cavaliers' varsity four won the NCAA Championship in that event. UVa won its sixth consecutive ACC championship in 2005 and finished second at the NCAA Championships. Virginia defended its national championship in the varsity four and also won the NCAA Championship in the second varsity eight. In 2006, Virginia captured its seventh consecutive ACC championship, sweeping every race.

The Cavaliers continued their winning ways in 2007, sweeping all four events en route to their eighth consecutive ACC Championship. UVa then made South/Central Regional history by winning every race in which it competed. The 'Hoos capped off their season with a second-place finish at the NCAA Championships, their third national runner-up finish in nine years. The varsity four captured its third NCAA title in that race.

Sauer has helped develop 16 All-Americans and 28 different first-team All-ACC selections in his Cavalier coaching tenure. In addition, 17 Virginia rowers were named to the ACC's 50th Anniversary Rowing Team. Additionally, a league-high 16 Cavaliers were named to the inaugural Academic All-ACC Team in 2006.

Over the past 12 seasons, Sauer's first varsity eight has compiled a 535-140 record (.793 winning percentage). He was honored as the ACC Coach of the Year in 2000, 2003, 2004, and 2007, and the South Region Coach of the Year in 2005 and 2007.

During the summer of 1998, he coached the United States' team at the Under-23 World Championships in Ioannina, Greece. Former UVa rower Andrea Saathoff was a member of that team. In July 2007 in Strathclyde, Scotland, Jennifer Cromwell will row for the U.S. at the Under-23 World Championships.

Sauer laid the groundwork for the current success of UVa women's rowing by serving as head coach of the women's and men's rowing club teams in 1993, and the women's in 1994 and 1995. In 1993, the women's lightweight and heavyweight fours won silver and bronze medals, respectively, at the National Championships. In 1995, the women's four was the national champion. Beginning in 1988, Sauer also coached a number of successful men's crew club teams at Virginia.

Before coaching at Virginia, Sauer served two stints as head coach at Purdue, his alma mater, from 1979 to 1982 and from 1986 to 1987. Under his direction, Purdue crews won the 1981-82 Midwest Championship and placed third in the 1986 Dad Vail. From 1983 to 1985, Sauer served as freshman coach at Yale, where his crews posted a 22-5 record.

A native of Indianapolis, Ind., Sauer received his bachelor's degree in marketing and finance from Purdue in 1976 and was a member of the U.S. National Rowing Team in 1975 and 1977. While at Purdue, he rowed for the United States in the 1975 Pan American Games. He also competed in the 1977 World Rowing Championships. Sauer continued his involvement in international competition as the rowing, canoe and kayak course contractor for the 1984 Olympics, the 1987 Pan American Games, the 1990 Goodwill Games and the 1996 Olympics. He also coached the U.S. Rowing Development Camp in 1997 and served as a technical advisor for U.S. Rowing during the 1988 Olympic year.

From 1997-2000, Sauer was a member of the High Performance Committee for U.S. Rowing, which makes plans for the coaching, selection and training of the national and Olympic rowing teams. In 2001, he was elected to serve as the Southeastern representative for the Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association.