Brandon Thompson Added to Rowing Staff Full Time

WINTER PARK, Fla. (June 3, 2024) - It is with much excitement that Brandon Thompson will be added to the Rowing Team's Coaching Staff full time beginning in the Fall of 2024. This has been a long time wish for the program to add another full time coach. Current coach, Shawn Pistor, will now be recognized as the Director of Rowing and Head Men's Rowing Coach while Brandon will be titled the Head Women's Rowing Coach.

Brandon has been an assistant for the rowing team for the past 19 years. "What makes Rollins different from many other collegiate rowing teams is that all of our coaches play an integral part in the development of all of our athletes, men and women. Our coaches are constantly adapting because they are coaching both teams and our teams have a tight bond since so much is done together," commented Coach Pistor. "Brandon knows the school, the program, and has poured his heart into this team as an assistant and I know he is excited to make this his full time endeavor."
 
Brandon Thompson is a Florida native, who grew up in Kissimmee, Florida. Soccer was the sport that brought him to Rollins, but he quickly made the transition to rowing as a sophomore in college. It is here at Rollins that he obtained his undergraduate and graduate degree in Elementary Education, while also being a member of the Rollins College rowing team for four years.
 
Upon graduation from Rollins, Brandon obtained a job within the Orange County Public School system, while taking on the head coach position at Boone High School in Orlando, Florida. He spent two years as the head coach of the program with over 120 athletes, which was the largest in program history. 
 
He was quickly called back to the collegiate stage and has been the assistant coach at Rollins college for the past 19 years. During this time, he has continued his career in education as both a teacher and administrator in local area schools, while at the same time coaching and recruiting for the rowing program at Rollins College. 
 
"I am thrilled to add Brandon to the athletic staff as head coach of the women's rowing team. Brandon knows Rollins, our rowing program and understands or mission and vision," said Associate Vice President of Athletics Pennie Parker. "He has shown his commitment to Rollins and the rowing team for over the past number of years and will continue to be a tremendous asset to the entire rowing program moving forward."