Saint Joseph's Vice President and Director of Athletics Jill Bodensteiner has named three-time Olympic medalist and accomplished head coach Michiel Bartman director of rowing and head coach of the men's rowing program.

"We are extremely excited to have someone as decorated as Michiel as our new director of rowing and head coach of our men's rowing program at Saint Joseph's," said Bodensteiner. "Michiel has been successful at every level - as a rower and as a coach - and we can't wait for our talented student-athletes to continue to develop under his leadership and guidance."

Bringing two decades of coaching experience to the Hawks, Bartman served as head coach of Jefferson's women's rowing program for the past three years. In his first season with the Rams, Bartman led Jefferson to the number one ranking in the East Region and a sixth-place finish at the NCAA Division II Championships. Recognized as the CRCA East Region Coach of the Year, Bartman also guided the Rams to multiple medals at the 2023 Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta, marking a first for the program. The following two seasons, Jefferson duplicated their national success, finishing sixth again, while Cecily Fritz was named a 2024-25 CRCA All-America Second Team honoree.

"I am very excited to join the St. Joe's family. I want to thank Jill Bodensteiner and Ken Krimmel, my beautiful family, and everyone else who has made my arrival possible on Hawk Hill. The newly renovated Maguire Athletic Center, with the outstanding rowing room, plus everything else that Saint Joseph's student-athletes have available, is very impressive," Bartman said. "It is bittersweet to say goodbye to my awesome team at Jefferson, but I am very much looking forward to being part of the men's rowing program and to continue the rich history of SJU rowing in Philly and beyond. It is my passion to pass on my love and knowledge of rowing to younger athletes to teach them life skills and make them faster rowers."

Bartman began his coaching career at Vesper Boat Club before moving to Harvard, where he led the lightweight men and women to strong performances at the Eastern Sprints and IRA Championships. He later developed Port Rowing's junior program, guiding athletes to USR Youth Nationals, then served as an assistant coach at Temple, where he led the Owls to continued success at the American Conference Championships.

A longtime member of the Dutch National Team, Bartman helped the Netherlands to Olympic Gold in the men's eight at the 1996 Atlanta Games, and captured silver in the men's quadruple sculls at the 2000 Sydney Olympics and silver in the men's eight at the 2004 Athens Games. Additionally, Bartman captured medals at three separate World Championships and served as the chairman for the Dutch National Olympic Athletes Committee from 2002-04. He earned a bachelor's degree in economics from the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences.