Where Are They Now?

Monica Rowe Fradkin, 1988-1992

Women's Swimming and Diving

As an athlete on the University of Connecticut’s swimming and diving team for four years, Monica Rowe learned leadership skills by serving as team captain and balanced herself between academics and the team. These qualities she acquired from UConn have continued today, helping her succeed as a working woman.

Rowe, a 1992 UConn graduate, recently became a nurse educator in the oncology unit at Yale-New Haven Hospital.

Having very active parents, Rowe began swimming at the age of two.  After moving to Boston at age 10, she joined her first swim team.

As a Melrose High School student in Melrose, Mass., Rowe swam for four years and played tennis for three years.  Early on in high school, she became an outstanding swimmer becoming a two-time league all-star, an all-state swimmer and a school record holder in the 100 fly, 200 medley, and 400 free relay.  Along with these achievements, she swam in the YMCA nationals her junior and senior year.

While considering colleges, Rowe desired a program that would allow her to balance her school work and academics.  The first year coach, Bob Goldberg, who still serves as the Husky mentor, was very supportive of this and promised a program that would not be so demanding.

As a freshman, Rowe stood out from the beginning becoming a varsity letter winner, and was named the outstanding freshman of ‘88-’89, along with the honor roll.

As a nursing major at UConn, it was a matter of time management for Rowe when it came to academics and swimming.

“I had a very supportive, flexible coach,” Rowe said.

Rowe developed as a swimmer at UConn --  marking personal bests in the 200 medley, 200 butterfly, 100 butterfly and the 500 freestyle.  Rowe was also part of the record setting 800 freestyle team and captained in ’90-’91 and ‘91-’92.  In her junior year, the Wolff-Zackin Natatorium was opened.

Since graduating from UConn, Rowe has had careers in pharmaceutical sales and nursing at Westchester Medical Center in Connecticut.  Six months ago, Rowe became a nurse educator in the oncology unit at Yale-New Haven.  Here, she focuses on teaching staff on disease states, patient teaching, and program developing.

“I have more administration and responsibility now than nursing,” said Rowe. “But I use all those skills I learned as a nurse and apply them to this job.”

Rowe, now known as Monica Fradkin, currently lives in Southbury, Conn. with her husband, David, a former UConn baseball student-athlete, of ten years.  They have three children: Sarah, 7, Noah, 5, and Max, 2. 

Rowe will be receiving her master’s degree in public health in May.

--Naomi Smith