SPOKANE, Wash. – Gonzaga Director of Athletics Chris Standiford announced that Mark Voorhees has been hired as the head coach of GU's women's rowing program.
A two-time Gonzaga graduate, standout student-athlete, and veteran coach with over two decades of experience, Voorhees brings a deep connection to the university and a proven track record of success with both the men's and women's rowing programs.
"Mark has been an integral part of Gonzaga Rowing for over two decades," Standiford said. "He brings unmatched experience, institutional knowledge, and a deep commitment to the holistic development of our student-athletes. We're excited for the vision and consistency he brings as he takes the helm of the women's program."
"I want to thank Chris Standiford for this incredible opportunity to come back and lead the program that gave me my start in coaching," Voorhees said. "To be able to take this next step in my career at an institution – and in a department – that I care so deeply about is the best scenario I could have imagined. I'm truly honored to lead a team comprised of so many committed young women who embrace and embody the mission of the university and are dedicated to pursuing excellence on the water, in the classroom, and in our community. Go Zags!"
Voorhees has been a fixture in Gonzaga Rowing since 2010, serving as an assistant and later associate head coach for the men's rowing program. During that time, he led the development of one of the most consistent novice squads on the West Coast. Under his guidance, the Men's Novice 8+ captured silver at the Western Intercollegiate Rowing Association (WIRA) Championships in nearly every season. His crews went on to strong national finishes as well, including 17th place at the 2011 and 2012 IRA National Championships, 11th in the Open 4+ in 2013, and 18th in the Second Varsity 8+ in 2014.
As a recruiter, Voorhees played a major role in building out the men's roster, highlighted by the largest recruiting class in program history in 2018, which brought 17 student-athletes to Spokane.
In addition to his work with the men's team, Voorhees served as an assistant coach for the Gonzaga women's rowing program from 2008 to 2010, where he coached the Varsity 4+ to a gold medal at the 2009 WIRA Championships and a silver at the WCC Championships that same year. His efforts contributed to Gonzaga securing its 12th WCC title in 13 seasons. In 2010, the Varsity 4+ again earned silver at the WCC Championships and finished fourth at WIRAs.
A decorated rower himself, Voorhees was a two-time All-WIRA First Team honoree and team captain as a Gonzaga student-athlete. He helped the Men's Varsity 8+ and Varsity 4+ to several top regional and national finishes, including a fourth-place finish at WIRAs and a top 10 result at the IRA Championships. After graduating in 2004 with a bachelor's in exercise science, he relocated to Philadelphia to pursue U.S. National Team selection. Racing with Vesper Boat Club, he won multiple U.S. National and Canadian Henley Championships and competed in three World Championship Trials and the 2008 Olympic Trials.
Voorhees earned his master's degree in Sport and Athletic Administration from Gonzaga in 2016. He lives in Spokane with his wife, Sinead Harris-Jones ('07), also a Gonzaga alum.
