Gackowski Promotes Sundbo to Associate Head Coach
9/5/2026 5:00:00 PM | Rowing
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Emily Gackowski, head coach of the Buckeyes, announced Friday the promotion of Mari Sundbo to associate head coach position.Â
Sundbo joined the rowing program as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for the 2025 season.
"Mari has made a huge impact in the two years she has been at Ohio State," Gackowski said. "As a staff, we are trying to grow the program and Mari plays an important role in that growth as the recruiting coordinator and the coach that predominately works with the 2nd 8 during racing season."
Gackowski said Sundbo will help build upon the established relationships enjoyed by the program and the athletics department support staff.Â
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"Every single person on our coaching staff and in our support staff is incredibly important and plays a role in our team's success," Gackowski said. "We have nutrition staff, strength and conditioning, athletic training, academic services, sports psychology, communications, event management, business associates and many more. We work with every unit available to us and work with them often. It is unbelievable to have the support that we have and it is a lot of relationships for one head coach to manage. Having Mari as associate head coach will allow us to communicate, collaborate and engage with these units more closely. I am really excited for Mari to make this transition and I am thankful to have someone like her to collaborate with."
Sundbo said she looks forward to building upon the success of the program.Â
"I'm honored and grateful for the opportunity to continue serving this program in another role, and thank you Coach Gackowski for the support," Sunbo said. "It's incredible to be here with this team and staff every day. I look forward to continuing to work hard and helping the program move forward."Â Â
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Sundbo joined the rowing program as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for the 2025 season.
"Mari has made a huge impact in the two years she has been at Ohio State," Gackowski said. "As a staff, we are trying to grow the program and Mari plays an important role in that growth as the recruiting coordinator and the coach that predominately works with the 2nd 8 during racing season."
Gackowski said Sundbo will help build upon the established relationships enjoyed by the program and the athletics department support staff.Â
Â
"Every single person on our coaching staff and in our support staff is incredibly important and plays a role in our team's success," Gackowski said. "We have nutrition staff, strength and conditioning, athletic training, academic services, sports psychology, communications, event management, business associates and many more. We work with every unit available to us and work with them often. It is unbelievable to have the support that we have and it is a lot of relationships for one head coach to manage. Having Mari as associate head coach will allow us to communicate, collaborate and engage with these units more closely. I am really excited for Mari to make this transition and I am thankful to have someone like her to collaborate with."
Sundbo said she looks forward to building upon the success of the program.Â
"I'm honored and grateful for the opportunity to continue serving this program in another role, and thank you Coach Gackowski for the support," Sunbo said. "It's incredible to be here with this team and staff every day. I look forward to continuing to work hard and helping the program move forward."Â Â
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