Jan Palchikoff

Jan Palchikoff rowed for the United States at the 1976 Olympics, and also made the ill-fated 1980 US Olympic team. She later served as head women’s coach at Syracuse University and at U Cal Santa Barbara. She earned a bachelor’s degree in history from UCLA, and a master’s degree in sports management from the University of Massachusetts. She later entered sports management in various roles, serving as Senior Vice-President for the 2015 Special Olympics World Games, Vice-President of Support Services for the 1994 FIFA World Cup, Executive Director for the World Rowing Championships, Venue Manager for the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, Program Director of the LA84 Foundation, Vice-President of Operations for the 1994 US Olympic Festival, and Executive Director of the Santa Monica Pier Restoration project.

Palchikoff also became a top masters cyclist while running all these programs. In October 2014 she set a masters’ hour world record for her age group on the velodrome at Dominguez Hills, California. Her daughter, Kate, is also a national caliber track cyclist.