Oct. 9, 2008

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - Brie Farley has joined the North Carolina rowing program as an assistant coach, Carolina head coach Sarah Haney announced Thursday. In addition, Haney has promoted Stephen Arthur-Wong to associate head coach.

"Carolina Rowing is very proud to welcome Brie Farley to our program," Haney said. "We are excited to have her join our staff because she brings a very similar coaching philosophy to what we have here at Carolina. She is committed to the student-athletes. She not only wants them to be successful on the water and in the classroom, but also to grow and develop as individuals throughout their college careers."

Farley will work directly with Haney and the varsity team. As a former coxswain, she will coach the Tar Heel coxswains as well as coaching rowing technique and organizing practice sessions.

Farley comes to UNC from Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., where she spent the 2007-08 season as an assistant coach for the men's and women's rowing teams. She also has served as Director of Junior Rowing for the Greenwich (Conn.) Water Club, where she managed all aspects of a program that served more than 100 athletes, and has coached at the Craftsbury (Vt.) Sculling Center and at Wesleyan University, among other programs.

Farley is a 2003 graduate of Bryn Mawr, where she was co-captain of the rowing team.

Arthur-Wong has been an assistant coach for the Tar Heels since 2005 and serves as coach of the novice squad.

"Everyone who is familiar with Carolina Rowing knows what an outstanding asset Stephen has been to the program since his arrival three years ago," Haney said. "We have seen the program grow in numbers as well as in speed. In addition to the growth, we have also seen the development of student-athletes with personal responsibility and overall ownership of what they want the team to accomplish. Because of all that Stephen has brought to the program, I am excited that we are able to promote him to associate head coach."

A former member of the U.S. Senior National Rowing Team, Arthur-Wong coached at his alma mater, Rollins College, for seven years before coming to Carolina.

The Tar Heels and their staff will be in action this weekend, racing on Sunday at the Occoquan Chase in Occoquan, Va.