Our Coaches

Head Coach Melanie Eckert

Melanie Eckert joined CRU this year as our new Head Masters Coach. She comes to us with a wealth of rowing experience, having coached at New Trier High School where her boats earned multiple national championships, and Recovery on Water. Prior to coaching, Mell rowed at New Trier, from which she was selected to row for the U.S. Junior National Team for many years. She was recruited to row for the University of Texas where she earned numerous Big 12 Championship titles and national awards. Off the water, Mell works as a Learning Behavior Specialist and is an avid fan of the Texas Longhorns, who she supports alongside her cat Tito, named for the spirit distilled in Mell’s beloved Austin, TX. Please join us in welcoming Coach Mell to CRU!

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 four years, having coached in the Chicago area for the previous six years. Her experience includes, Learn To Row, Juniors, College and Masters Rowing.

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.

Matt Honaberger

Matt Honaberger is a former CRU head coach with years of experience and will be a part time coach this year. He is a great athlete, very knowledgeable about the sport and is also a trapeze artist in his spare time.

Simone Azure

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.”