Building a Powerhouse: Inside Tufts University Rowing with George Munger

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In this episode of the New England Endurance Podcast, host Art Trapotsis sits down with George Munger, the director the Tufts University rowing program and men's head coach, to explore what makes Tufts one of the most successful and admired rowing teams in the country.

George shares his personal journey into the sport and offers a behind-the-scenes look at how Tufts Rowing has evolved into a championship-caliber program. From multiple national titles on both the men's and women's teams (head coach, Lily Siddall) to coaching accolades to groundbreaking use of technology and community outreach, this conversation dives into the core philosophies and practices that set Tufts apart.

Listeners will learn about:

* The long-term effort behind Tufts' recent dominance on the water as DIII national champs
* Recruiting insights: How Tufts prioritizes athlete enthusiasm and love for movement in recruiting
* The integration of strength training to prevent injury and boost performance
* Innovative use of technology, like the Peach system, for real-time performance feedback
* How the team strategically peaks for major races and balances data with intuition in crew selection
* Meaningful community engagement, including environmental efforts like Malden River cleanups
* George’s goals for the future—including building a deeper team culture and increasing alumni involvement

Whether you're a rower, coach, or endurance athlete looking for insights into elite team building, this episode is full of lessons from one of the top minds in the sport.

Art & Eric embark on a journey to showcase and celebrate the endurance sports community in New England.