BOSTON – Mary Foster, who played a pivotal role in the Harvard-Radcliffe women's lightweight rowing program's national success for the past eight years, has been named the head coach of the Boston University lightweight rowing team ahead of the 2023-24 season, director of women's rowing Malcolm Doldron announced on Monday.
 
Foster becomes the second head coach in program history after BU recently completed its 11th season at the varsity level. She succeeds Doldron, who was promoted to his role in June.
 
"I am thrilled to extend a warm welcome to Mary Foster," said Doldron. "Her deep regard for the student-athlete journey, exceptional expertise, and passion for the sport create a powerful blend that will undoubtedly drive our team to remarkable achievements both on and off the water. I'm excited for our collaboration ahead."
 
Foster arrives to Commonwealth Ave. following five years as the assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Radcliffe. During her tenure, Radcliffe has had four crews finish top-four in the IRA National Championship Regatta, including silver medals for the 2x and 4+ in 2023 and 2022, respectively. At the most recent Holland Beker Regatta, she guided Radcliffe's U23 double to a second-place result.
 
"I am thrilled and honored to step into the role as head coach of Boston University lightweight rowing," said Foster. "Since the start of the program 11 years ago, Malcolm Doldron has laid a remarkable foundation, and I am looking forward to working closely with him in his new role as director of women's rowing. I would like to thank Malcolm, [director of athletics] Drew Marrochello and [senior associate director of athletics] Brittany Kane for this opportunity to join the BU Athletics family."
 
Prior to her role as assistant coach, she was a volunteer assistant for the program for three seasons. During this role, she worked with the novice and third varsity crews across both the lightweight and openweight programs. Her efforts during the spring of 2018 led to a second-place finish for the openweight novice 4+ at the Knecht Cup and a bronze medal for the third varsity lightweight 8+ at the Eastern Sprints.
 
No stranger to the Charles River, Foster was a member of Riverside Boat Club in Cambridge, Massachusetts, for five years. She competed for the United States National Team in 2015, competing in the World Rowing Championships. There, she helped the lightweight women's 4- capture sixth place. Later that year at the Head of the Charles, she earned bronze in the lightweight women's 1x.
 
Foster was a former team captain at Loyola Marymount, where she was an All-WCC First Team selection in her senior year in 2011. In 2008, she helped the Lions' lightweight program win the IRA national championship in the 4+.
 
After earning her bachelor's degree in natural science from Loyola Marymount in 2011, Foster received her master's in athletic training from Bridgewater State in 2014.