John Welker

Longtime rowing coach John Welker begins his fourth year at the helm of the Nazareth rowing team in 2025-26.

Under Welker's direction the program is growing and continuing to get faster each year. The team regularly competes at several Northeast venues, highlighted with the Head of the Fish and Head of the Genesee regattas in the fall and the New York State Championships at Saratoga Springs in the spring.

Welker was promoted to head coach of the team over the summer of 2022 after one year as assistant coach for the Nazareth Rowing team.

Welker – better known as Chief – has been an active member of the rowing community for more than 15 years as a coach at the high school and collegiate levels. He earned a Level 2 coaching certification from USA Rowing in 2017.

The rowing veteran and member of the Fairport Fire Department also coached with the Fairport Crew Club. He was added to the coaching staff at Nazareth as the team returned to the water after the Covid-19 pandemic suspension of activities in 2021.

The team elevated to varsity status in 2019 and continues to build a roster that combined experienced rowers and novice team members that have joined the program after arriving at Nazareth.