Peter Wells was named the Brewers' Men's and Women's Rowing Head Coach in the summer of 2019, following an interim season with Vassar in 2018-19. A former college rower at Williams, he brings more than 35 years of collegiate coaching experience to Vassar.
The Brewers squads returned to the water for a full competitive season in 2021-22 after having the 2019-20 season cut short and the 2020-21 campaign canceled due to the ongoing pandemic. This season, Vassar saw solid success from both squads as the women's team competed in seven regattas, while the men's squad participated in eight. The women's team won its season-opening regatta, following that up with the first chance since the early 2000's to row in the historic Head of the Charles, before closing out the fall semester with solid efforts at the Head of the Fish. In the spring, the women's team competed in back-to-back weekends at Skidmore versus Middlebury, RIT and William Smith. The Brewers varsity four posted victory at the Hamilton Regatta versus the Continental and St. Lawrence as well as racing powerhouses Wellesley and Smith in the eight events. The squad closed out their season at the New York State Championships as the varsity four took sixth place in the final of 18 entries, while the novice eight was fifth in their final.
The men's team in 2021-22 opened with a win at the Poughkeepsie Regatta against Clarkson, followed by strong efforst at the Quinsigamond Snake and Head of the Fish Regattas in October. Spring action was plentiful as Vassar returned to 2000 meter events with tough back-to-back weekends at Skidmore against the Thoroughbreds, Middlebury, RIT, Hamilton and St. Lawrence. Vassar competed at the New York State Championships, which saw the men's Novice Four win their race ahead of Union and St. John Fisher as the varsity eight took sixth. The Brewers men concluded their season at the National Inviational Rowing Championships, finishing fifth overall in their heat.
Wells's teams saw their season cut short due to the pandemic during the 2019-20 campaign. Both squads competed in two races mid-fall and completed a spring training trip before the season concluded.
In his interim year in 2018-19, Wells guided the Vassar men to appearances in eight races, while the women were in seven. Both squads had strong performances at the New York State Championships, along with the Dad Vail Regatta.
Wells took over as head coach at his alma mater in 1982 and held that position until 2017. During his 35-year tenure, Williams won 22 Little Three titles and four ECAC national invitational championships. He also guided the Ephs to eight conference championships, eight New England titles, and four victories in the Collegiate Eight at the prestigious Head of the Charles Regatta in Boston. Williams set a course record in the event in 1997.
Upon stepping down as head coach, he remained with the Williams rowing program as boathouse manager. Wells also taught physical education at Williams and helped organize the annual Williams Winter Nordic Carnival.
