LOS ANGELES – Allison Foster has been named LMU's Director of Rowing and Head Women's Coach following a nationwide search, Athltetic Director Craig Pintens announced on Friday.
 
"We are excited to add Allison Foster as our Director of Rowing and Head Women's Rowing Coach," said Pintens. "As we went through the search process, Allison consistently stood out as the top candidate for our position as she has outstanding care for student-athlete well-being and competitive excellence. She has a tremendous background competitively and has been a significant part of the rise of Oregon State rowing."
 
Foster will lead the Lions following her time at Oregon state as Associate Head Coach and former student-athlete. Foster has also coached as both the interim head coach and assistant coach with the Beavers, and as an assistant coach at University of North Carolina.
 
"It is with gratitude and enthusiasm that I accept this incredible opportunity to be the next Head Rowing Coach at Loyola Marymount University," said Foster. "What spoke to me most about LMU was the university's beautiful blend of high academic excellence and holistic athletic standards. I want to thank Craig Pintens, Thad Satre and Ashley Armstrong for supporting me throughout the interview process and ultimately trusting me with this program. I look forward to working with all the staff and faculty that surround the student-athletes at LMU."
 
Foster helped lead the 14^th-ranked Oregon State women's rowing team earned to its second consecutive fourth place finish at the Pac-12 Championship in 2022, earning the Beavers their first NCAA championship appearance since 2009. Her professional career started at the University of Puget Sound as the assistant men's rowing coach, leading the team to a conference championship in 2014 on the way to being named the Northwest Collegiate Rowing Conference Men's Coach of the Year.
 
LMU's coaching position became available following the resignation of Karl Huhta in May.
 
"Karl Huhta has worked hard to build a positive team culture and recruit excellent leaders and athletes to this team," said Foster. "I am eager to meet the individuals that make up the team and lead them into a new season of what it means to be a rower for LMU. To the mentorship from Kate Maxim over the many years that we have worked together, and to all the support staff and student-rowers at Oregon State, thank you. My time with the Beavs has been formative in setting me up for this next step. I can't wait to get started teaching, developing and supporting a team of student-athletes at LMU and building the program's competitive level within the WCC."
 
Foster rowed for four years at Oregon State after walking onto the team as a freshman. During her time, she represented women's rowing on the Student-Athlete Advisory Council, and was named Most Inspirational her senior year. A 2012 graduate of Oregon State University, Foster earned her bachelor's degree in public health and a minor in nutrition. Foster is a certified US Rowing Level 2 Coach.