ITHACA, N.Y. – Matt Smith, associate head coach of Cornell heavyweight rowing, has been named the head coach for the USRowing Under 23 men's national team. Smith will be in charge of selecting and training the men's eight and straight four that will compete at the World Rowing Under 23 Championships, held July 23-27 in Varese, Italy.

"Being selected to continue to work with the US U23 national team is a testament to the whole Cornell rowing staff," said Smith. "We had great success last summer with the men's U23 team practicing in Ithaca.  The lessons I learn on a daily basis here from not only head coaches Todd Kennett, Hilary Gehman, and Chris Kerber, but the entire Cornell rowing team, have helped me immensely in coaching with the US national team.  Cornell has a rich tradition of placing both athletes and coaches on the US national team, and this is direct proof that athletes can come here and be developed and prepared for the next level of rowing.  I'm looking forward to representing the Big Red this summer!"

Smith served as an assistant coach for the US U23 national team in 2012 and 2013 with the primary responsibility of coaching the heavyweight straight four and assisting with the heavyweight eight. In 2012 the eight earned the gold medal while the straight four took fourth. The following year the eight won silver and the straight four earned bronze.

The 2014 team will be chosen following a sweep camp that will be hosted by the California Rowing Club in Oakland, Calif. Approximately 16-18 sweep rowers and 2-3 coxswains will be invited to the camp. For more information on the camp selection process, visit www.USRowing.org.