Patrick Sweeney, former rowing star and veteran head coach of K-State’s women’s rowing team, announced his retirement on May 18, 2025, after 22 seasons.
Olympic silver medalist coxswain Patrick Sweeney became the head coach of the K-State rowing team in 2003 and led the team to several victories, including several honorable titles.
Most recently, he led K-State Wildcats to a Kansas Cup win over Kansas in 2023, earning consecutive wins on four occasions in 2005-06, 2008-09, 2011-14, and 2018-19.
Moreover, while announcing his retirement, Patrick Sweeney stated:
“After 22 years of steering this program, being able to do this project, this feels like the right time to hand over the team to a new head coach, I’e always believe that college sports is all about the bleeding the academic and the athletics.”
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Patrick Sweeney further expressed his gratitude to his team members, the director of athletics, and, most importantly, to his wife, Martha, and daughter, Toula, who have been his constant supporters throughout his journey.
He said,
“I also want to thank my wife, Martha and my daughter Toula, they have been patient, understanding, and supportive throughout my entire career”
Furthermore, Martha has not only been a supportive wife to Patrick Sweeney outside his career, but has also contributed to his professional life by working as the administrative assistant for the Athletic Department and the women’s rowing team at Kansas State University.
While the exact date of their marriage is not yet available, as Patrick Sweeney and Martha prefer to maintain a low profile and haven’t shared much about their personal life, the couple has been happily married for decades.
The couple is also proud parents to their only daughter, Toula Sweeney, who earned her associate’s degree in cinema and dramatic arts studies from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and a Bachelor’s degree in Media and Film Production from the University of Kansas and is building her career in the media industry.
Toula currently serves as the senior marketing operations specialist at Picarro, Inc., and the Video Marketing Specialist at Aspen Contracting.
Patrick Sweeney’s Wife, Martha Plessas Sweeney, Is A Former Athlete
The world Rowing champion Patrick Sweeney is not the only athlete in the house; his longtime wife, Martha Plessas Sweeney, showcased her amazing rowing skills in high school and college.
Before even being known as Coach Sweeney’s wife, Martha was already making waves in sports.
Born in March 1960 in Mill Valley, California, to father James Peter Plessas and mother Eleanore Chalmers Plessas, Martha began her athletic journey from a very young age.
Although she didn’t pursue a career in sports, Martha Sweeney led her team to several victories while playing for the University of Cambridge women’s rowing team, BlueBoat.
Furthermore, in 1986, she earned a prestigious spot in the Blue Boat, becoming the first female rower to achieve Blue status at Cambridge.
The following year, in 1987, Martha competed with the lightweight team alongside teammates such as Alison Brownless, Katie Brownlow, and Vikki Filsell.
Her dedication to the sport continued beyond the UK. She later represented the United States in the lightweight coxless four, capping off her competitive rowing career with a strong performance in 1990.
Martha’s success showed her creativity and commitment to being the best in rowing in both Britain and America during her athletic journey.
Not only did Patrick’s wife, Martha, excel in her athletic journey, but she also excelled academically.
She attended Tamalpais High School and later earned her B.S. in Genetics from UC Berkeley and her Plant Genetics and Breeding degree from the University of Cambridge.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Patrick Sweeney coached the Bristish National Team at the World Championships and the Olympics.
- He served as the head coach and director of training for the Belgian National Rowing Team.
