Keith Jefferson
Head Coach

Jessica Pennington
Ass't. Coach

Kip Wassink
Ass't. Coach

Keith Jefferson, Head Coach

Keith Jefferson has steered Seattle Pacific University into uncharted waters in national prominence during his 16-year tenure as head coach. In the past eight years alone, Jefferson’s Falcons have claimed national titles in seven events, medaled in four others and won regional crowns in 11.

A past oarsman, alumnus and assistant coach, Jefferson became the fifth head coach at Seattle Pacific University in the fall of 1990. Under Jefferson, the Falcons have emerged as a regional force in small college rowing.

Both men's and women's boats have proved competitive at the national level in recent years. The women's varsity four won collegiate championships in 2000, ’01, ‘03 and 2004 and placed third in 1999. In 2002, both the women’s pair and novice four claimed crowns. In 2003, the lightweight four also earned gold. In 2004, Seattle Pacific’s four swept conference, regional, Pacific Coast and national championships and, in the program’s first international regatta, advanced to the semifinal of the Henley Women’s Regatta.

The men's four finished fifth in the Intercollegiate Rowing Association in 1995, the lightweight four was second at Dad Vail in 2000 and the novice four third in 2001.

Regionally, Jefferson's fleet has medaled 27 times at the Western Intercollegiate Rowing Association and Pacific Coast Rowing Championships, including 11 golds. SPU has totaled 45 Northwest Collegiate Rowing titles since 1994, punctuated by the school’s first overall conference women’s crown in 2001.

Jefferson succeeded Jim Schultz as coordinator of both the men's and women's programs after serving two seasons as an assistant. A graduate of Bothell High School, Jefferson rowed for Seattle Pacific from 1979-83. He was a member of the light four which advanced to the semifinal at the Dad Vail Regatta in Philadelphia in 1982.

An active member of the Marines from 1983-87, Jefferson remains a lieutenant colonel in the reserves. He was called up to active duty for six months in 2002-03.

Keith and his wife Lori have a son, Randy, and daughter Emma, and reside in the Greenwood neighborhood of Seattle.

Jessie Pennington, Assistant Coach

The 2007 season marks Jessica Pennington’s fifth season as Seattle Pacific University’s assistant coach for rowing.

Pennington lettered for years for the Falcons and was a member of the varsity four which won three conference crowns and Seattle Pacific’s first two national championships in 2000 and ’01. She was an all-region selection, oarsman of the year and team captain as a senior.

Pennington, served as interim head coach in 2003 while Keith Jefferson was called to active duty by the U.S. Marine Corps.

Kip Wassink, Assistant Coach

Kip Wassink returns for his second season on the staff.

Wassink stroked a varsity four which finished fourth at Dad Vail in 1999 after taking second in the conference. He lettered two seasons after earlier participating in track and field.