Coaching Staff

Kevin is one of the founders of OBCR, serves as a trustee, and is our program and facilities director.

Kevin rowed throughout his college career, on Fordham University’s Men’s Crew Team, and then as a Master while earning his Juris Doctor from Hofstra Law School in 2017.

At OBCR, Kevin manages staff, develops our programs, and is our main liaison with local and state government regarding all aspects of the Club.

Kevin Kelley is a discovery attorney at Kelley, Drye and Warren in New York City. Kevin was a law clerk for the Honorable James L. Garrity Jr. in the Southern District of New York Bankruptcy Court.

My passion for rowing started here on Long Island where I rowed in High School for Bay Shore High School in the spring and at Sagamore Rowing Association in the summer. I went on to row at Marist College for 3 years where I won the 2014 MAAC Championship 1v and competed at the Head of the Charles as well. I eventually moved on to earn my bachelor degrees in Economics and Political Science from SUNY Farmingdale.

Immediately after my competitive rowing career ended at Marist, I became the Assistant Coach for Oyster Bay High School and worked with Coach Manny Valentin, now Head Coach of Skidmore College, as well as Coaches Kevin Kelley and Rachel Roth, currently trustees of OBCR.

I am also a volunteer Firefighter for the Bay Shore Fire Department. I’m looking forward to strengthening and developing the depth and foundation of the OBCR junior team in the near future.

Fun Fact: I am currently training to participate in triathlons this summer.

Tom first started rowing at SUNY Geneseo. As a graduate student, he coached for his alma mater, as well as masters rowing at Genesee Rowing Club. While serving as the Head Instructor at The Waterfront Center next door to the boathouse, he was quickly sucked into the rowing community here in Oyster Bay. He coached for a year at Friends Academy, with many of the same boats the program uses today. He then transitioned over to Manhasset Crew and spent eight years there in a number of capacities. In each position winning many races at the regional and national level. 

While not on the water, Tom is a teacher in the Wantagh School District. He holds a BA in History and Adolescent Education, MEd in Literacy, and an Advanced Certificate in Educational Leadership. In his free time, he enjoys sailboat racing, skiing, and spending time with his family.

Sara E. Baldvins, also known affectionately by her colleagues and athletes as Coach Baldi, is the Lead Assistant Coach for Oyster Bay Community Rowing. She has over 10 years of coaching experience, most recently as the Head Girls Coach at Vermont Academy in Saxtons River, VT. Prior to this she was Novice Girls Coach, Assistant Varsity Girls Coach and Coxswain Coach at Twin Cities Youth Rowing in Edina.

She rowed Varsity at the University of Minnesota (D1) and participated in four Big Ten Championships. Coach Baldi went on to compete at the the Head of the Charles in 2013 and 2014, Masters Nationals, and Club Nationals with the Minneapolis Rowing Club.

Sara has a US Rowing Level II Certification, and has completed training in CPR/AED, First Aid, Concussion Training Boat Safety and Licensed, and SafeSport.

Dean comes to us from picking up the sport of rowing during his time at Bay Shore High School where he rowed alongside coach Matt Hobbes. He was recruited to row at La Salle University in Philadelphia in 2018. While at La Salle, he had participated in a host of racing on the university team. Having a seat in the 1v for his time, Dean rowed at all of the prestigious collegiate races: Head of the Charles, Princeton Chase, Dad Vails, IRA’s. After graduation, he joined our staff as Assistant Coach and is now a Senior Coach.

TJ has spent the last decade as an active member of the rowing and coaching community. Since moving back East in December 2024, he has worked at Long Island University as assistant coach for men’s & women’s rowing. Prior to that, TJ was the men’s head coach at Westerville Rowing Club in Columbus, OH, where his program cemented themselves as the premier youth rowing team in Central Ohio. His tenure at the program was highlighted by multiple undefeated seasons of boat classes, including the Varsity 4+ in Fall 2023 and Lightweight 8+ in Fall 2023 & Fall 2024. Additionally, his men’s squad qualified four crews for the 2024 Youth National Championships, the most their program segment had qualified in over a decade, garnished various regatta team points trophies, and sent numerous athletes to continue their athletic careers at Division 1 institutions. While working at WRC, TJ also studied at The Ohio State University, where he received his Masters Degree in Sports Coaching.

Prior to his time in Ohio, TJ rowed for and studied at Marist University in Poughkeepsie, NY, where he graduated with a BA in Sports Communications & Journalism in 2023. His rowing career at Marist was highlighted by competing at the 2021 IRA National Championship, where his crew placed 19th in the nation. While at Marist, TJ also coached various segments at nearby Hudson River Rowing Association, including the high performance juniors, learn-to-row programs, and the Spackenkill High School novice team. Over his college summers, he also coached and directed the learn-to-row camps for his high school alma mater, St. Joseph High School (Metuchen), where he began rowing in 2015.

Rob began rowing at Fordham where he rowed for three years and graduated with a B.A. in History. He also holds a M.A. from Adelphi. After college, he served for a number of years as a member and a director of Empire State Rowing Association in the Bronx and continued as a recreational and open water rower. For a number of years, he coached the Middle School (Mod Squad) at Sagamore Rowing. Rob has been an ocean lifeguard for forty-one years and each summer is the Senior Training Officer for the Town of Hempstead’s Junior Ocean Lifeguard Program in Point Lookout. Professionally, Rob teaches at Garden City High School and has been involved in youth coaching including RVC Soccer and St. Agnes CYO swimming. His three daughters all learned to row at Sagamore, two of whom continued in D1 rowing programs. Rob is excited to continue introducing youth to the lifelong sport of rowing.

Certifications include:
NYS Boating Safety Certificate
NYS Teaching Certification K-5 and 6-12
Nassau County Grade III Ocean Lifeguard
CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers
SafeSport Training