CAMBRIDGE, Mass. -- After 20 years as the H.W. McCurdy '22 Director of Rowing and men's varsity heavyweight coach at MIT, Tony Kilbridge has announced his retirement at the conclusion of the 2025-26 academic year. 

"While I still have several months to go, I wanted time to say a proper goodbye to the athletes, coaches, alumni, and other friends who have made the last twenty years the most rewarding chapter of my life," said Kilbridge.   

Following Kilbridge's arrival in Cambridge, MIT crews raced successfully at the EARC Sprints before making the transition to the IRA Championships in 2012-13, where the Engineers have established themselves as a perennial Top 25 power, including this season where MIT enters the spring ranked No. 23 in the IRCA Preseason Coaches' Poll. Kilbridge's squad also enjoyed significant success on the team's home course, as MIT captured the Men's Collegiate 8+ titles at both the 2019 and 2021 Head Of The Charles Regatta.

"Tony's steady and measured leadership has been transformational in the continued growth and success of MIT Crew," said Director of Athletics and DAPER Department Head at MIT. "Over the past 20 years, he has built a program grounded in a 'One Boathouse' culture that reflects MIT's commitment to excellence, integrity, and enhancing the student-athlete experience. We are grateful for his many significant contributions to MIT and the sport of rowing, both locally and abroad and wish him the very best in his retirement."

MIT's heavyweight men raced Varsity 4+ at IRA in both 2013-14 and 2014-15 before making the program's first varsity grand final appearance since the 1970's when the Varsity 4 finished in sixth place in 2015-16. The Engineers raced Varsity 4+ crews from 2016-17 until 2022, when MIT received a team invitation to IRAs for the first time since 2009, as the Varsity 8+ and Second Varsity 8+ went on to finish 22nd and 23rd, respectively. Most recently, MIT finished 24th in 2023 and a program-best 21st in the Varsity 8+ in 2024 before taking 22nd at last year's championships.

In addition to his role as men's varsity heavyweight coach, as director of rowing, Kilbridge is responsible for the operation of the Resch Boathouse and support for each of MIT's varsity crew programs. Under his leadership, MIT's crews have established a tradition of competitive excellence, positive team culture, and high morale.

Kilbridge came to MIT from the University of Virginia, where he led the men's heavyweight crew to several strong seasons and top 20 national rankings in his five years at the helm. Kilbridge graduated cum laude from both Harvard University in 1982 and Georgetown University Law School in 1987. As an undergraduate at Harvard, Kilbridge was a two-time Eastern Sprints champion.

MIT opened the season with match-ups against Coast Guard and Holy Cross; the Engineers will welcome Marist and Wesleyan to the Charles River on Saturday and Sunday.

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