Tempe Knopp first discovered her love of rowing at Oklahoma State University, earning a bachelor’s and master’s degree in psychology and youth and family counseling. Upon graduation, Tempe and her husband, Mike, revitalized the sport of rowing in Oklahoma City and created various youth, collegiate, and community programs. Tempe formed and coached the first youth rowing team in Oklahoma City which grew into a nationally competitive program. She also served as the head sculling coach at Oklahoma City University where athletes gained attention from high performance and national team coaches. Her youth and collegiate athletes have earned top level results at regattas such as the World Rowing U19 Championships, USRowing Youth National Championships, ACRA National Championships, Head of the Charles, and Dad Vail Regatta.
Over the last two decades, Tempe has enjoyed coaching all ages and levels of rowers including middle school, high school, collegiate, masters, and high performance. She loves utilizing rowing as a tool to enhance an athlete’s self-confidence and perseverance both on and off the water. Tempe’s greatest joy is cheering for her three children as they row down the Oklahoma River with Keaton rowing for Oklahoma City University, Cameron rowing for the Riversport Junior Rowing Team, and Carson rowing for the Riversport Junior Middle School Team!