PHILADELPHIA, Pa. (July 5, 2023) - Drexel University Director of Athletics Maisha Kelly announced the promotion of
Asiya Mahmud to the position of Women's Rowing Head Coach on Wednesday.
"It is a great moment to be able to announce Asiya's promotion to the head coaching position for the women's rowing team," said Kelly. "As an alumna, Asiya represents the best in Drexel and has done an excellent job as associate head coach and mentoring our student-athletes in the water and in life."
In her three years as associate head coach, the women's team has made impressive strides. This season, the Dragons had a historic win at the Head of the Charles Regatta, Drexel's first at the event. DU also took home the Knecht Cup for the first time and won the Kerr Cup for a fifth consecutive year. Last season, in addition to their Kerr Cup victory, the Dragons also tied for the CAA Championship and helped Drexel to the overall points title at the Dad Vail Regatta.
"This is a well deserved promotion for Asiya," said Drexel Director of Rowing, Paul Savell. "She is an outstanding coach and role model. This position will enable Asiya to continue in her dedication to develop our student-athletes. I am excited to watch her continue to grow in this leadership role."
In the classroom, Drexel women's rowers have also succeeded. 12 members of the team were named CRCA Scholar-Athletes in 2021-22. Three student-athletes in each of the last two seasons have been named Philadelphia Inquirer Academic All-Area with Natalie Cleri selected as the Academic All-Area Performer of the Year for women's rowing in 2022-23.
A 2012 graduate of Drexel with a degree in criminal justice, Mahmud rowed to a successful career that included a Dad Vail gold medal, Colonial Athletic Association silver medal and a Henley Women's Regatta quarterfinal appearance. She became an assistant coach with the Dragons in 2015 and earned her Master of Legal Studies with a concentration in NCAA compliance and sports law from DU. She was named associate head coach in September, 2020.