John Welker

Longtime rowing coach John Welker was promoted to head coach of Nazareth Rowing in July 2022 after one year as assistant coach for the Golden Flyers. 

Under Welker's direction, the Golden Flyers joined the Liberty League as an associate member in 2026-27, the team's first conference home since its elevation to varsity status in 2018-19. Nazareth will now compete in the Liberty League Championships each year in in addition to its regular fall and spring schedules. 

In the fall of 2025, the rowing team competed at its first Head of the Charles since 2019, the world's largest rowing event featuring over 11,000 athletes every year on the Charles River in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The Golden Flyers regularly compete at several Northeast venues, including the Head of the Fish and Head of the Genesee regattas in the fall and the New York State Championships at Saratoga Springs. 

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. A member of the Fairport Fire Department, Welker 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.

Nazareth Rowing was elevated to varsity status in 2018-19 and continues to build a roster that combines experienced rowers and novice team members that have joined the program after arriving to campus.