Austin Brooks serves as the Executive Director for Dallas United Crew (DUC), now beginning his third year with the organization. As the first to hold this role, he has been honored to guide DUC through an exciting period of growth in both rowing and paddle sports, helping shape the program’s vision and expand opportunities for athletes across Dallas. Before joining DUC, Austin and his family relocated from California, where he served as Head Coach and Program Director at UC Irvine. During his tenure, he developed the California Challenge Cup Regatta, creating a sustainable revenue stream to support the long-term success of UC Irvine’s program. With more than a decade of rowing and coaching experience, he brings both expertise and enthusiasm to DUC’s mission of developing athletes and strengthening community through the sport of rowing. As an athlete, Austin had an undefeated collegiate rowing career at the University of Washington, where he also set the current world record in the Varsity 8+ with a time of 5:21.4. He represented the United States at two World Rowing Championships, advancing both times to the A Final, and is a Henley Royal Regatta Temple Cup Champion. Prior to college, he rowed for Newport Aquatic Center as captain, leading the Men’s Varsity 8+ to back-to-back National Championships and two undefeated high school seasons. One of Austin’s goals as Executive Director is to ensure that rowing and paddle sports at DUC are accessible, inclusive, and transformative for athletes of all backgrounds. He has a lifelong passion for the sport and its ability to build character, community, and resilience. Outside of his work with Dallas United, Austin enjoys working out (no surprise there) and, above all, cherishes his time as a loving husband and proud father to his daughter.