For nearly two decades, Claire Martin-Doyle led the MIT Lightweight Women's Rowing program to unprecedented heights, earning numerous accolades along the way.

Coach Martin-Doyle joined the MIT coaching staff in 2006 and quickly made her mark on the program. Under her leadership, the team became a powerhouse in the sport, culminating in the Institute’s first-ever Division 1 National Championship in 2022. Her teams also achieved excellence at the Head of the Charles Regatta, winning silver (2019) and gold (2021) medals in the historic regatta.  In addition, her program earned four Dad Vail Championships, including three consecutive Lightweight Eight titles (2014-2016) and an array of silver and bronze medal performances over the years. 

Coach Martin-Doyle’s success extended beyond team championships, as she mentored three All-American athletes during her tenure at MIT and her student-athletes won over a hundred scholar athlete awards, recognized by the Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association and Intercollegiate Rowing Association.  Her program achieved three back-to-back NCAA Public Recognition Awards for academic excellence. 

At the international level, three of her MIT athletes went on to earn spots on the United States National Team, racing in the Rowing World Championships and representing their country on the world stage. 

Prior to coaching at MIT, Martin-Doyle earned her master’s degree in Kinesiology and Sports Psychology from Temple University.  While living in Philadelphia, she also trained as an elite lightweight rower at Vesper Boat Club and coached Lower Merion High School. 

Martin-Doyle has been involved in rowing her whole life, starting at a young age by watching her dad row and coach rowing.  She began her rowing journey as a high school student in Buffalo, NY where she first picked up an oar rowing with Nardin Academy, a small Catholic all-girls school.  While a rower at Nardin, she and her teammates won the Scholastic National Championship Regatta (SRRA) and more importantly, Martin-Doyle found her love for rowing and continues to have a deep affection for her hometown (Go Bills!).  Martin-Doyle went on to row at Georgetown University where she was part of the team that participated in the 1998 NCAA Women’s Rowing Championships.  She was a 4-year varsity rower and recipient of the John Carroll Spirit Award in her time on the Hilltop while earning a B.S. in Business Administration.