March 26, 2009

Dayton Flyers women's rowing head coach Derek Copeland was the only member of the UD athletic department and only male nominated for the highlighly prestigious 2009 Miryam Award.

The Miryam Award was initiated by Campus Ministry's Center for Social Concern in 1996 as a way to recognize the efforts of people on the university campus to change the atmosphere and the potential for women's achievements at the University of Dayton.

"Serving on the committee, I was inspired by all the wonderful nominees' stories and achievements," said UD Assistant Athletics Director and Senior Woman Administrator Megan Pease. "But then to see one of our coaches being nominated, it just reiterates what a great job Derek does with his program. To be nominated for the Miryam Award is a great honor and we're all very proud of coach Copeland."

The Miryam Award singles out one such person or group each year whose made a significant contribution to changing the historical bias against women that we have inherited in society. The winning recipient can be an individual UD student, faculty, or staff or it can be a group consisting of students, faculty, and/or staff.

The selection committee met and reviewed all submitted nominations in early February. The committee then ranked each nominee based upon responses to the three criteria areas identified on the nomination.

Copeland is the fourth head coach in the Dayton Flyers women's rowing program's history since being moved to varsity status.

In 2007-08 UD enjoyed numerous successes in the water. The Flyers started off well at the Head of the Charles Regatta with UD's Varsity 8 turning in the best finish in the program's history by placing in seventh out of 52 participants.

In addition to success on the water, Copeland places a strong emphasis on academics. In his first year as an assistant with the women's program, seven members from the Flyers women's rowing team were among those selected on the 2007 Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association scholar athletes.

Copeland graduated from Dayton in 2000 with a degree in Business Management and is currently a Ph.D. candidate for Industrial and Organizational Psychology at Wright State University.