West Windsor, NJ - The Executive Director of the Princeton National Rowing Association, Kristopher Grudt, has been named to the Federation Internationale des Societes d'Aviron (FISA) Umpiring Commission. FISA is the international governing body for the sport of rowing and is based in Lausanne, Switzerland. The Umpiring Commission is responsible for promoting umpiring worldwide and specifically at World Championships and World Cups.
Mr. Grudt replaces Canada's Guylaine Bernier who is retiring after serving sixteen years on the FISA Umpiring Commission. Grudt becomes only the second person from the United States to serve on the Umpiring Commission, the other being Philadelphia's William Knecht who served on the Committee from the late 1960's to 1992.
Kristopher Grudt began his involvement in rowing at Oregon State University as a lightweight rower. Grudt became a United States Referee in 1987 and went onto obtain his International Umpire license in Strathclyde, Scotland in 1996. He officiates at all levels of the sport from local junior regattas through the FISA World Championships.
Grudt previously served on USRowing' Board of Directors and as Chair of USRowing's Grievance Committee. Grudt also served for ten years on USRowing's Referee Committee, including four years as the Chair of the Committee.
PNRA congratulations Kristopher Grudt on being named to the FISA Umpiring Commission.