Dick Dreissigacker

Dick Dreissigacker attended Brown University, graduating in 1969 with a degree in engineering. He also competed for the Vesper Boat Club. Dreissigacker was a five-time US Champion, winning in the eights in 1970 and 1972, and the coxed fours in 1970-72. He also competed at the 1970 World Championships and the 1971 Pan American Games and European Championships.

Dreissigacker later coached rowing at Stanford, where he coached his brother, Pete. While in training for the 1976 Olympics, they modified their oars with carbon fiber. This led to them start a company to manufacture the new oars, and other rowing equipment, called Concept2. The company became based in Vermont, and is especially well-known for its indoor rowing machines, or ergometers. In 1994 Dick Dreissigacker was given the Jack Kelly Award from USA Rowing for superior achievements in rowing, service to amateur athletics, and success in their chosen profession.