Peer Leader POV: Mr. Lopez

 

 

The Beginning
Mr. Lopez’s story begins in London, where he was born before eventually moving to the United States. Central to his upbringing was his mother—someone he describes as relentlessly hardworking and deeply supportive. She worked multiple jobs, yet still drove hours to attend his crew races. At home, academics were non-negotiable: no grade lower than a B+. She was what he proudly calls a true “crew mom”—present, invested, and fully committed.

In eighth grade, his family moved and he began attending Brunswick School in Connecticut. There, he built a close relationship with Head of School Tom Philip and grew comfortable in the all-boys school environment—something that would later influence his desire to return to education in a similar setting.

 

Rowing Chapter
Mr. Lopez’s first time rowing was not pretty. It was rainy, muggy, and messy. By the end he was exhausted, wet and grimy—but something about the grit of it—the toughness, the discomfort—hooked him immediately. He loved the challenge from that very first day.

One of the defining highlights of his high school rowing career was reaching the semifinals at the Henley Royal Regatta—the most prestigious rowing regatta in the world, competing in the Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup Junior 8. He describes it as the best race he’s ever been part of. While his crew had placed fifth or sixth at NEIRAs (New England) that season, something clicked at Henley (Worldwide). You race twice on championship day at NEIRAs, so they ran out of juice by the time of their championship race. But they had just enough “juice for a day,” at Henley, and that day was unforgettable.

Yale and the Process of Greatness
Mr. Lopez went on to row Division I crew at Yale University. Having grown up down the street from the Gilder Boathouse, Yale rowing was always in his orbit. He became part of the program during its rise—part of the build-up to what would become a dominant era.

 

He recalls a moment early in his collegiate career when newly-appointed Head Coach Steve Gladstone—considered one of the greatest rowing coaches in the sport’s history—boldly declared, “The goal this year is to win all the races.” At first, the team laughed. But then it started happening. The next year, when the same goal was announced, no one laughed.

That culture shift didn’t happen accidentally. Under the leadership of the legendary coach, Mr. Lopez absorbed a mentality centered on discipline, belief, and standards. He learned that excellence required not just physical ability, but the right mindset. In fact, there were athletes who were asked to leave the program—not because of talent, but because their mindset harmed the team environment. Culture was everything.

Beyond Yale, Mr. Lopez also rowed internationally in China in the single scull, further deepening his understanding of the sport and himself.

Belmont Hill Chapter
Having attended an all-boys school himself, Mr. Lopez always felt comfortable in that environment. It shaped him, and he wanted to give back within that same space.

His coaching journey reflects more than a love for rowing—it reflects a passion for mentorship. He coached Greenwich Girls Crew, founded his own rowing foundation, and helped students in Shanghai navigate admissions into colleges in the United States. For him, rowing has always been about development: helping young people grow, build resilience, and believe in something bigger than themselves.

Belmont Hill ultimately brought together many of his passions—belonging, education, admissions, and rowing. It’s a space where he sees the same transformative potential that shaped his own life.