ST. CATHARINES, Ont. – Former Olympian and Brock University women's rowing assistant coach Ron "Swede" Burak has been named the 2012 Rowing Canada Male Coach of the Year.

"Brock University would like to congratulate Ron on being named the Rowing Canada Male Coach of the Year," said Brock Director of Athletics Robert Hilson. "His rowing background dates back to 1976 Olympics and he has been instrumental in building women's rowing in Niagara for the past 12 years as a coach at different levels."

Swede has been coaching for 12 years at various levels including Denis Morris High School, St. Catharines Rowing Club and Brock University.

This summer Swede coached the flyweight women's four and senior women's light pair to gold at Royal Canadian Henley, as well as having four other second place finishes.

In the summer at the Ontario Championships he coached the winning women's under 23 eight.

This past fall he also coached the Brock lightweight women's team to an overall third place finish at the Ontario University Championships.

Brock freshman rower Grayson Gray (St. Catharines, Ont.) was also recognized by Rowing Canada as a member of the Men's Crew of the Year, the St. Catharines Rowing Club Junior Men's program.

"Grayson is a great example of the long standing relationship between Brock University and the St. Catharines Rowing Club working together to promote excellence for local athletes and coaches," said Brock rowing head coach Peter Somerwil. "Brock would like to congratulate all the other St. Catharines Rowing Club national award recipients.