June 20, 2014
By: Ryan Blystone, Inside USD
Kim Cupini has been head coach of USD women's rowing program since 2007. She's a former standout Torero rower and a 2003 alumna, earning a BS in environmental studies with a minor in business administration. This past season, her team captured its fourth West Coast Conference title and placed 15th in its first-ever NCAA National Championships appearance. Inside USD asked Cupini, a five-time WCC Coach of the Year, about her program's steady success.
You began your rowing career in New York. How did you end up at USD?
I played a lot of sports when I was younger and was a pretty serious swimmer. I rowed on the Erie Canal in upstate New York and fell in love with the sport. I went to a small school in Maine as a dual-sport athlete and studied environmental science. I experienced one of the coldest winters Maine had seen that year and I wanted to go somewhere I could row Division I year-round. My passion in environmental science was strong, too, and I wanted to study the ocean, so that brought me to San Diego.
Women's rowing has had steady success under your direction - four WCC titles, San Diego Crew Classic success, out-of-state race wins, national ranking and now an NCAA appearance - what are some key attributes?
Having student-athletes who believe in the power of gratitude for their experience, along with the drive to reach their greatest potential as athletes and as people. Also, the backing from a great athletic department, the administration, Torero alumni, and my hard-working staff over the years, including our volunteers.
Your 2014 team exceeded all others to date. Looking back at the athletes who made it possible and as you think ahead to 2014-15, what takeaways can you use to maintain this national spotlight?
I'll take some time to reflect on our past success and building upon that for sure. Each athlete knows we build off of their training from that last year and what the team achieved last season. It is helpful for the athletes, to see what our recent graduates have done and look to them for advice and guidance to build for future years. The athletes are devoted to their teammates and are passionate about their team and the sport. We need to continue to nurture that passion and devotion.
Rowing is a demanding sport in terms of training, technique and all-around effort. Any specifics you can share about preparations for next year?
Year-round training is a big key. You said it, rowing is a demanding sport. The athletes' overall fitness base and strength over the summer is huge toward coming back strong for the next year. The team works extremely hard in the offseason and they motivate each other. We've developed a culture of fitness and overall health that is important to the student-athletes along with the support they give each other.
You were a team MVP rower and you've been WCC Coach of the Year five times. Did you believe your passion as a rower could translate to being a strong coach?
I've always been passionate about athletics and how it has the potential to make students better people. I coached other sports when I was younger and teaching those was always a gift. Helping develop people through rowing isn't something I originally thought of doing. My passion for what I studied at USD was important. I taught marine and environmental science to low-income youth in San Diego and Mexico. One of my former professors, Shara Fisler, founder of City Heights' Ocean Discovery Institute, recruited me to teach marine science/water sports and I built my career from there. I'm forever grateful to her and that program. It goes to show you that the smaller classes and personal attention at USD allows you to build connections. Teaching through marine science or sport allowed me to realize how much I love to have a positive impact on people. I've received an opportunity from the athletic department to do that everyday.
Your roster has student-athletes from everywhere: local, national and international. What do you look for in a recruit?
In order to have a successful program you have to find student-athletes that believe in the university and your program. It's important that we look for the right fit and athletes who are willing to work hard to help build a program to the top in return for an amazing athletic-collegiate experience. San Diego and the program have a lot to offer, so bringing them here and showing them this is key. It is no secret USD rowing trains hard and recruits we go after know they have to step up to that challenge while being amazing teammates.
Making the NCAA Championships gave you and your student-athletes a chance to see the sport in a national setting. What does women's rowing need to do to sustain it and thrive?
As a program and staff, we need to continue to be creative to find resources for our student-athletes. We've made great strides in fundraising, which is critical for developing a competitive schedule allowing us to race against the nation's Top 20 programs. While some of our women's rowers receive athletics aid, the majority doesn't. Recruiting nationally and providing athletics aid allows us to bring in the strongest possible student-athletes from diverse backgrounds to thrive in USD's competitive athletic and academic environment. We constantly evaluate all aspects of the program. We're always asking ourselves, "How can we be better?"
When you're not coaching or doing something rowing-related and you're able to get away, what do you do?
Most or all of my travel is usually for work, racing or recruiting. In order for me to be at my best in coaching and life, keeping up my fitness is very important. I love to be out in nature: cycling, running, surfing, you name it. I've also been practicing yoga since a bicycling accident almost 15 years ago and I've continued that throughout my career. It keeps me grounded and focused. I also try to compete when I can to stay in touch with that feeling the athletes have to go through.
How do you apply your USD education to enhance the rowing program?
Believe or not I use some of my knowledge with the tides and training on Mission Bay, but mostly I just show the team the marine life whenever I can. The business emphasis in my degree helps when it comes to managing the program, that's for sure!
