Forest Hills Central Rowing

Coaching Staff

Jerry Bradford - Head Coach

Jerry joined the coaching staff in 2007 starting with the fall season and is currently our interim head coach. Jerry became involved with the FHC rowing program during his daughter Kelly's senior year and is a past participant of the adult-learn-to-row program. Jerry has also served as the team's Regatta Director since 2008. Jerry and his wife Sherry have four children: a senior at Valparaiso University, a sophomore at U of M, a senior at FHC, and a future rower at the middle school.

E-mail: jbradford@fhccrew.org

Don LeBlanc - Varsity Men’s Coach

Don is the founder of the Forest Hills Central Crew team and has been instrumental in the start up of several other high school rowing programs in the Grand Rapids area. From its inception to the end of the 2004 season, Don was Head Coach of the program. He now participates as an assistant coach working with both the men's and women's programs. Don began rowing in high school and has successfully competed in the Canadian Henley as well as other regattas during his rowing career. He began coaching over 30 years ago, first at St. Mary's Prep in Orchard Lake, and then at FHC. He continues to row competitively in the summer and fall seasons in the Masters division. Don also coaches during the summer and fall for the adult learn to row programs. Both Don and his wife Claudia have worked countless hours and years building the FHC Crew program. Both of Don and Claudia's sons have graduated from FHC.

Email: dleblanc@fhccrew.org

Mia Pavletic - Varsity Woman’s Coach

Mia is a 2004 graduate of Forest Hills Central and rowed for four years as well as two years on scholarship at the State University of New York at Buffalo where she was a member of the Dad Vail gold medal winning Novice 8+. Mia started assisting at FHC in 2006 after an injury kept her from competing at the collegiate level. Coach Mia has been named as the head women's novice coach in 2008. Mia is CPR and First Aid certified. We are fortunate that Mia transferred to Grand Valley State University and is assisting us here at FHC. Mia has also taken on the head coaches position for the adult learn to row program in the summer.

Email: mpavletic@fhccrew.org

Greg Bego – Novice Men’s Coach

Greg joined the coaching staff in 2007 starting with the fall season and is currently coach to the men's novice team. Greg is a past participant of the adult-learn-to-row program and now rows his own single when time allows. Greg has attained a Level 2 US Rowing Coaching Certification. Greg began assisting the crew team in 2005 after watching his son compete. Greg started by transporting equipment for the team and setting up sites at each of the regattas.

Phone (616) 485-1730
Email: gbego@fhccrew.org

Kris Bego- Novice Men’s Coach

Kris started out joining the FHC Crew team in 2004 as a freshman. He continued to row all four years. Kris was part of the 2005 and 2006 state championship teams and earned a medal rowing in a four at the Midwest Championships. After graduating FHC in 2007, when his father became a coach, Kris periodically came back to help out with the team. During the 2009 season, Kris became a regular with the team and has since become a coach for the men's novice squad. "I've been a part of the team for 7 years now, and it always thrills me to see people becoming interested in the sport. It truly is an outstanding and honorable sport." Kris is currently enrolled at Grand Valley State University.

email: kbego@fhccrew.org

Dr. Brian Hotchkiss – Novice Woman’s Coach

Brian joined the coaching staff at the start of the 2004 season assisting with the men's novice program. Brian began his crew coaching career later in life. The majority of his on-water rowing time is spent in a recreational single. A greater amount of time has been spent in a coaching launch! Brian also coach's the adult learn-to-row program in the summer and fall as well as summer rowing camps for kids. His other sports include down-hill skiing and golf. Brian has attained a Level 2 US Rowing Coaching Certification and is CPR and First Aid certified. As a practicing orthopedic surgeon (DeVos Children's Hospital Pediatric Orthopedic practice) who trains orthopedic residents he brings a unique dimension to the coaching staff. "It's been exciting to see the men's side of the crew team becoming so strong over the past two years."

Email: bhotchkiss@fhccrew.org

Nell Jager – Novice Woman’s Coach

Nell started rowing at FHC in 1996 as a freshman. She graduated in 2000 after rowing all fours years with the team She earned an athletic scholarship to row for Barry University in Miami FL. Nell attend Barry and rowed for all four years. While attending Barry University, Nell earned the right to compete at the NCAA rowing championships 2 out of 4 years. She is CPR/AED, first aid and WSI/ lifeguard trained and certified.