•  More on Tamara Clayton:  December 2023 interview with USRowing
•  Men's rowing recruiting questionnaire
•  Women's rowing recruiting questionnaire
•  Purchase XULA rowing gear

        NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana announced Thursday the hiring of Tamara Clayton as head coach of its men's and women's rowing programs, which will compete for the first time at the varsity level during the 2025-26 academic year.
        Clayton has 20 years of rowing experience, first as an athlete — including a member of a Big 12 Conference championship team at the University of Oklahoma — and most recently as a coach and mentor. Clayton coached the past two years at Canal Dock in New Haven, Conn., and helped spark a sixfold growth in youth participation.
        Clayton also coached club teams at UNLV and Nevada State University.
        Rowing was a XULA club sport the past two academic years. XULA varsity rowing is the first for men and women at a Historically Black College and University (HBCU).
        "Throughout my career, I have worked to expand the interest in rowing among minorities and underserved youths," Clayton said. "At Xavier my goal is to show that it's possible to build a successful HBCU program with rowers that can win championships, elevate the sport and become leaders."
        Clayton was born in La Mirada, Calif., spent the majority of her youth in Tulsa, Okla., and received her bachelor's degree from OU in 2013. For seven years (2013-20) she coached teams at Tulsa Youth Rowing that produced eighth- and 11th-place national finishes at USRowing varsity championships and won multiple championships in a seven-state district.
        Clayton worked under founder Neil Bergenroth during the early years of gROW Tulsa, an initiative aimed at increasing access to the sport for underserved youth through comprehensive access to physical activity, academic support and a team-focused approach to development. Her commitment to diversity in rowing includes participation in programs such as Look of Change, Rowing in Color and Athlete Allies.
        Clayton also competed for Tulsa Youth Rowing. She was a varsity captain there in ninth grade, and in 12th grade she received the club's Queen Oar Award, as voted by her teammates, for commitment and leadership that contributed to the team's success. That year she also received the Golden Coxswain for leadership, organization and commitment to the program.
        Dr. Elizabeth Manley, professor and chair of XULA's history department, and Chloé Jobin, head of community outreach and diversity initiatives for the New Orleans Rowing Club, directed XULA rowing during its club era. Manley led the head-coaching search.
        "Tamara Clayton brings passion and purpose to Xavier rowing and will grow HBCU rowing," Manley said. "Tamara's wealth of experience, knowledge, teaching and mentoring will be an incredible asset in the next chapter of this sport."
        Said Pat Kendrick, XULA's executive director of athletics and recreation: "Tamara Clayton's energy and expertise make her a great fit to lead the launch of Xavier varsity rowing. Thanks also to Dr. Elizabeth Manley for directing the search and helping us hire Tamara."
        XULA in 2025-26 is sponsoring 18 intercollegiate varsity teams. Recent sport expansion:
        •  Women's soccer started in 2023 and reached the second round of NAIA nationals in each of its first two seasons.
        •  Men's soccer started in 2023 and reached the second round of NAIA nationals in 2024.
        •  Men's indoor track and field returned in 2021-22 and produced an NAIA national champion, triple-jumper Seth Alexander, in 2024.
        •  Baseball returned in 2021.
        •  Softball started in 2021.
        •  Co-ed competitive cheer started in 2019-20 and was the 2022 NAIA national champion.
        •  Women's indoor track and field returned in 2019-20.

What they say about Tamara Clayton
David Banks, U.S. rower who competed at the 2008 and 2012 Olympics
        "The hiring of Tamara Clayton is a major event, and it is the final step in the journey of Xavier starting a varsity rowing team. Tamara brings 15-plus years of coaching experience, at almost every level, to the student-athletes at Xavier. Looking back it is amazing that in only two years Xavier will now have the first varsity rowing team and full-time head rowing coach at a historically black college / university in over 50 years. The resilience and drive to get to this point is a testament to all of the Xavier rowers, now and graduated, as well as the original coaching staff of Professor Beth Manley and Chloé Jobin. Their collective spirit and determination is a true representation of the Xavier commitment to excellence. I'm fortunate to have met these trailblazing students and staff when this day was only a dream. I couldn't be more proud and more excited to see this team grow and excel."

Neil Bergenroth, gROW Tulsa founder and online rowing trainer on YouTube
        "I worked with Tamara for many years at Tulsa Youth Rowing Association, first as a rower and later as a fellow coach. I am excited to hear of this new opportunity for her and wish her the best at Xavier University. I appreciate her high energy and positivity and her interest in learning more about rowing and coaching."

Marina Traub, owner of Radical Yoga, former collegiate rower and coach
        "Tamara is passionate about education, safety and the athlete experience. I worked with her at an Olympic development camp a few years ago, and she's an absolute pleasure to work alongside — curious, professional, grounded. She really believes in what rowing can do for young people and has spent her career creating those opportunities for kids who wouldn't otherwise have them. She's going to do a fantastic job for you, I am so glad you're bringing rowing into your programming, and I can't wait to see what she does."
 
Photo of Tamara Clayton by Dexter Atlas