Our Honoree: Coach Veli Etropolski
Veli Etropolski is retiring as Rockland Rowing’s head coach. He served as a coach for our youth teams for over 7 years, during which time he had a huge and positive influence on many young men and women. He also saw his rowers succeed at all levels of competition. Under his tenure, Rockland’s presence at USRowing Youth Nationals has become an expectation rather than a surprise. But winning was not Veli’s primary goal. While he liked his teams to win, he always wanted rowers – young and old – to deliver their best rowing. Veli would get excited when rowers rowed well and to the best of their abilities. He was always the ultimate technician – his discerning eye combined with his famous sayings made sure everyone knew they could always do better. (“Relax!” “Pull the boat with your heels!” “No stopping at the front stops! Did I ever tell you to stop at the front stops?”) But he also let you know when you were rowing well. A good performance was often followed by loud congratulations and big bear hugs!
Veli’s rowing experience spans over 50 years, including eight on the Bulgarian national team where he won numerous national championships in both sculling and sweep boats. Over the years Veli has coached at many programs, including Manhattan College, Fordham University, Montclair High School, Blair Academy and the Bulgarian National Team. At Rockland, he led a team of coaches who worked with all our programs. He embodied our one-team approach – where all rowers and all coaches were part of a team that supported each other and pushed each other to become better. Veli was especially gifted in his ability to be both serious about rowing while never taking himself too seriously. He knew he made a difference with his coaching, but he also knew that it was the rowers who had to deliver good rowing – so he didn’t take credit for good results. When his rowers did well, he bestowed all the credit on them and their efforts. We will miss his daily presence on Rockland Lake, but we are happy to know that he will still come to row with us, and race with us, and to share his rowing wisdom for many years to come.