MEDFORD, Mass. – Tufts University men's rowing assistant coaches Andy McDonald, Grady Van Orden and Jacob Welborn were recognized by the Intercollegiate Rowing Coaches Association (IRCA) as the Division III National Staff of the Year for the 2025 season.

This trio assists head coach George Munger in the operation of a Jumbo men's rowing squad that was one of the deepest and most successful teams in the nation. Tufts boated four eights and two fours during the season, won the National Invitational Rowing Championships (NIRC) points trophy featuring all boats, and won the Intercollegiate Rowing Association (IRA) Division III points trophy with its first and second eights. Tufts was the only program at NIRC to put every men's boat on the podium (top three).

This marks the second straight year that Tufts has won IRCA Staff of the Year national honors. McDonald and Welburn were both part of last year's staff and earn the recognition for the second straight year, while Van Orden joined Tufts this season and is a first-time recipient.

McDonald, the top assistant, primarily worked with coaching the 3rd and 4th varsity eights this year, and also ran the open four that raced at IRA's this year. Tufts' 4V8 won its NIRC race and was undefeated for the season. McDonald also does a large amount of recruiting and helps Munder guide the team's training programming and technical focuses.

Welborn and Van Orden split time running the Jumbo fours group that placed first and fourth at NIRC this year. They both also rotated around and worked with all of the crews through the year, providing valuable extra sets of eyes on the 1/2/3/4V eights.

"Our program relies on the development of the athletes in the 3V, 4V and 5Vs to drive the speed of the squad," Munger said. "Without Andy, Grady and Jacob, the team does not run. Our top boats are littered with guys who learned how to move and train in the lower boats over the years with these guys. They've done an incredible job, uphold excellent values, and allow me to concentrate on the top boats while knowing everyone on the team is getting the attention they need to be as competitive as possible.