Coach Andre

Andre embarked on his rowing journey in 2006 at the Steel City Rowing Club, where he was mentored by esteemed coaches Laci Tompa, Dori Tompa, and Florin Cureau. With an innate talent for the sport, Andre rapidly made strides in sculling alongside Matthew Madama, securing numerous accolades. His passion for rowing and desire for broader opportunities led him to co-found the junior rowing program at RowPittsburgh, which would later be known as Pittsburgh Rowing Club, alongside two junior rowers and a select group of dedicated Masters.

During his high school years under the guidance of Coach Florin, Andre demonstrated his progress on the water. His major accomplishments include his freshman year, he placed 14th out of over 200 singles in the Men's Club 1x at the Head of the Charles Regatta. In sophomore year, he placed 1st in Ltwt 2x at Midwest. Junior Year, he set the All-Time Boys JV Lightweight Erg score at NA Indoor Sprints and 1st in the Ltwt 2x at Midwest Champs, and 1st in Ltwt 2x at Club Nationals. In his Senior Year, took 1st in Ltwt 1x and 2nd in Ltwt 2x at Midwest Champs, 4th in Youth Nationals in Men’s Youth 1x, and 3rd in the Men’s Intermediate 4x at Club Nationals.

Andre's success did not go unnoticed. Jacksonville University extended him a full scholarship in both rowing and academics. During his tenure there, Andre rowed the V1 as a freshman and was a vital part of the Freshman Four, which clinched both 1st and 2nd at the Southeast Regional Regatta. This streak of success garnered an invitation for selection with the US National Team for sculling. However, during this time, he faced personal challenges with his father suffering from an aortic aneurysm. Nevertheless, in 2012, Andre and the Pittsburgh Rowing Club secured a Top 10 finish in the Men's Champion's Double at the prestigious Head of the Charles.

After college, Andre ventured to New York, Atlanta, and Palm Beach, exploring career opportunities. He returned to Pittsburgh, joining his beloved Pittsburgh Rowing Club once more, but this time, as a coach. As a certified US Rowing Level 2 Coach, Andre has been imparting his expertise and passion to the Pittsburgh Rowing Club Juniors, Masters, and Novices programs. Additionally, he took up assisting coaching for the Upper Saint Clair High School Juniors in the Fall of 2022.

Today, Andre's commitment to the sport and his dedication to nurturing the next generation of rowers continue to inspire and shape the future of rowing in Pittsburgh.