Our Coaches

Mark Carroll

Head Coach Mark Carroll returns to CRU with years of hands on experience as a coach with us: He knows boats, trailers, equipment, rowing technique, you name it! He has really helped us improve as a team.

Mollie Halvorsen

Coach Mollie Halvorsen has over 22+ years experience rowing, including at the competitive national collegiate level, and of those years, has been coaching for eight. Mollie has been with CRU for two years, having coached in the Chicago area for the previous six years. Her experience includes, Learn To Row, Juniors, College and Masters Rowing.

CRU’s President, Simone Azure, adds, “Mollie has always been a huge supporter of CRU. She has been instrumental to our organization not only through her knowledge, experience and skills, she also provides solid leadership, direction and support in all things CRU. I would find it nearly impossible to function in my leadership role without her support. Her love of the sport has been a two fold gift to us due to the skills she is instilling upon us, but also because like many of us, she does this as a volunteer."

Jordan Villarreal

Jordan Villarreal is the current Men’s Novice coach at Northwestern University and coxed in both high school and university. Jordan got into coaching at a local high school near his hometown in Michigan after finishing his coxing career at IUPUI in Indianapolis Indiana.

Bridget Bourbon

Bridget Bourbon comes to CRU as an protege of Coach Mollie, and is highly skilled as our novice coach. From leading Learn to Row sessions to guiding boats in the regular season, she is always helping new rowers hone their technique on the water in a safe and effective way. She attended Syracuse University and has years of experience as a rower herself.

Chauncey Hoffman

Chauncey Hoffman is a former CRU head coach that pitches in to lead some of our Learn to Row sessions. She has years of experience and positive training method, effectively teaching people how to row for the first time.

Sam Sarff

We also welcome our newest guest coach, Sam Sarff. Sam comes from University of Louisville, she’s coached and recruited with Michigan State, Clemson, South Carolina, Nova Southeastern University and the University of Florida. She has coached college, CRCA National Scholar Athletes, ACC Championships as well as Big Ten Championships. Retired from college rowing, she comes to CRU as our esteemed and appreciated guest coach. As time permits, she coaches us every other weekend. Welcome to CRU and thank you!

Simone Azure

CRU President/Coach

Simone Azure, an enrolled member of the Turtle Mountain Ojibwe tribe, identifies as Two-Spirit. Before rowing, her primary sport had always been Tae Kwon Do (she has a black belt), but being introduced to a new low impact and physically challenging sport has changed her focus. She enjoys the camaraderie, community and being in the water outside all summer.

“I’ve met many people through rowing here in Chicago and from around the world really, that have helped me advance and have been very generous with their time and energy while teaching me a new sport and over the years, I’ve especially enjoyed helping people get on the water. CRU introduced me to a wonderful sport and it’s been fun refocusing our efforts and building our community.”

Colin Darnton

Coach Darnton is currently the Varsity Men’s Coach at Northwestern University. Colin graduated from the University of Michigan in 2017 where he rowed for 4 years. While at Michigan, he won gold in the Second Varsity 8+ at the American Collegiate Rowing Association (ACRA) National Championship his junior year, and as a senior, Colin was one of eight athletes selected to the ACRA All Great Lakes Region Team. Colin also had a successful high school rowing career, making the Grand Final at Youth Nationals twice and winning multiple Midwest Regional championships.