Mike Fennelly

Rigger/ Boatman

In his 29th year as Cal's rigger, Mike Fennelly is regarded as one of collegiate rowing's finest boatmen. He not only maintains all of the program's boats and prepares them for racing, but also keeps the entire boathouse in ship shape. For the past 16 years, Fennelly has taken responsibility of maintaining the women's equipment in addition to the men's.

Fennelly has a strong rowing background. He rowed in high school at St. Joseph's in Alameda and continued at Long Beach State before transferring to Cal and rowing one year in the lightweight varsity eight. In 1979, Fennelly became lightweight head coach while serving as rigger apprentice under the legendary Matt Franich. In 1981, he became Cal's full-time rigger upon Franich's retirement.

Fennelly and his wife, Kathleen, live in Alameda with their two sons, Brian and Patrick.