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.

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.

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

Coach Abbey Kokiadis began her rowing career as a walk-on at Iona University, where she competed in the 1V for four years. During her collegiate career, she raced at major regattas including the New York State Championships, Knecht Cup, Dad Vails, and the Head of the Charles. Highlights include a petit final win in the 1V8 at Dad Vails and racing in the bow seat of the 1V4 at the Head of the Charles in 2023. Abbey also graduated from Iona ranked as the seventh-fastest 2k in program history.

Coach Abbey fell in love with the sport as a walk-on and is passionate about sharing that love with the athletes at OBCR. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Iona University in 2024 and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Social Work at Long Island University while working full time in special education at Nassau BOCES. She enjoys skiing and running too!

Andrew’s rowing career began as freshman in high school on the Chaminade Crew team. Here he competed at SRAA’s in 2016, as well as Head of the Charles in 2022. While attending Chaminade, he worked their learn-to-row program in his junior and senior year. He was then recruited to row at Iona University where he raced at many notable events, including IRA’s, Head of the Charles, and Dad Vails. His impact on the team led to his selection as captain of the men’s team.

After graduating Iona University with a Bachelor of Science in Biology, Andrew now continues his education at LIU Post, pursuing his Doctorate of Physical Therapy.

Growing up on the water, Andrew spends his free time fishing, boating, clamming, crabbing, and kayaking. This love of the water was his initial motivation to begin rowing, which is an experience he values and wishes to share with others.

Neel grew up in Syosset, New York, where he attended Syosset High School and spent four years as both a rower and coxswain with the Syosset Rowing Club, a team under Oyster Bay Community Rowing.

Neel’s coaching career with OBCR began shortly after graduating from Syosset High School in 2020, starting as an Assistant Coach who planned and ran practices and built lineups for scrimmages and competitions. He went on to serve as an Assistant Coach for the Advanced Middle School and Learn to Row programs, and most recently coached adult rowers in the Masters rowing program, teaching technique, body positioning, and conditioning.

In total, Neel has coached with OBCR across multiple age groups and programs, bringing nearly two years of experience with the club since 2020.

Neel earned his Bachelor of Arts in Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security, and Cybersecurity, concentrating in Homeland Security, with minors in History and Leadership, and his Master of Science in Emergency Management and Homeland Security with a concentration in Intelligence Analysis, both from the University at Albany. During his time in Albany, he interned with the New York Division of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in New York City and the Albany Field Office of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), supporting federal investigations through financial analysis, intelligence research, and casework.

Neel is thrilled to return to OBCR, the club that first taught him to row, and is eager to help develop the next generation of OBCR athletes while giving back to a community that helped shape him as a young athlete and person.

Outside of coaching, Neel stays active in the gym and enjoys skiing, hiking, and golf. He also enjoys spending time outdoors, as well as time with family and friends.