New director brings core values to team

By Lisa W. Miller

As Dallas United Crew (DUC) approaches the beginning of its 20th anniversary season, it is a perfect time to announce the addition of a new position that will help catapult the program into the next 10 years of sustainable growth. DUC is pleased to welcome Austin Brooks (AJ) to the DUC family. Brooks will be starting on August 15 as DUC’s first executive director. All DUC programs with current coaching staff will be reporting to Brooks. With the skills that Brooks is bringing, combined with the current coaching talent, DUC will be well-positioned for the next phase of growth.  

Brooks spent more than a decade in high performance rowing with six consecutive national titles. Brooks started rowing at Newport Aquatic Center before taking his talents to the University of Washington, where he was undefeated in his collegiate career, including four-time Pac 12/IRA Nation Champions. Brooks was additionally selected to be on the US National team, is a world record holder in Men’s 8+, Henley Royal Regatta Champion, John H. and Luanne Isom Mills Endowed Crew Scholarship recipient. 

Throughout his career, Brooks has developed a deep understanding of the core values that rowing brings in the growth and development of its participants. His most recent experience was as program director and rowing coach at University of California Irvine in which under his leadership the UCI program achieved sustained growth in recruiting, retention and fundraising.