Staci Brown - Executive Director
As a lifetime resident of the Chicagoland area, it is a personal mission of Staci to lead an organization that serves the under-resourced youth in some of our most economically disadvantaged areas on the South and West sides of Chicago. Through the vehicle of competitive rowing, we will give children an opportunity that is usually reserved for a select few. Staci brings experience in social media marketing, fundraising, and extensive non-profit leadership skills to CTC. Her work in youth development fitness programs will serve as a great framework for the future planning of CTC programming. She is excited to see CTC flourish in the near and distant future and looks forward to uniting the ideals, mission, and values of CTC with the emerging youth of Chicago. In the coming years, CTC will continue to pursue its mission to help our student-athletes thrive in the community and set a course for success after they leave our program through the common bond of rowing. With that comprehensive mission comes several initiatives our organization is proud to lead, including:
Michael J. Scott - COACH
Michael J. Scott is an Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Illinois at Chicago. He has a Bachelor's degree in philosophy from Harvard University, and MS and PhD degrees in mechanical engineering from Caltech. He rowed heavyweight crew at Harvard from 1983-1986 and rowed with the U.S. national lightweight team at the World Championships in 1985 (8, silver medal) and 1987 (straight 4, 7th place). He also won the Ladies' Challenge Plate (1983) and the Wyfold Cup (1986) at the Henley Royal Regatta in Henley-on-Thames, England. 
Kaylie Mei - Marketing and social media vista
Kaylie joined the team during her freshman year of high school after being introduced to the sport the summer before at one of CTC's learn-to-row camps. She rowed with CTC until the summer after her senior year. Kaylie now attends Northwestern University studying statistics and computer science, and she also works as the Chicago Training Center Marketing and Social Media VISTA. |
Rachel clendenning - Program Director
Rachel started rowing with CTC as a junior in high school. She fell in love with the sport and proceeded to spend a gap year in Seattle, WA working for the George Pocock Rowing Foundation. She rowed four years at Smith College, becoming co-captain of the team her senior year. She is excited to be back at CTC helping the next generation of rowers find their way in the sport! 
Odin Slade Byrd - COACH
Odin first started rowing in eighth grade with CTC. Getting faster every year, he set his sights on collegiate rowing. After rowing at the University of Washington, he has returned to CTC to build fast boats and a strong team spirit. Though he rarely gets to row nowadays, he loves whipping it in the launch. 
Llovizna miranda - Academic enrichment
Sports have always been an integrated part of my life, especially in high school: cross country, soccer, swimming and softball. At Valparaiso University, where I studied mechanical engineering, I would go for daily runs or join an intramural sport. As a first-generation and low-income student, rowing seemed out of reach for me. CTC gave me the opportunity to see the beauty that lays within the waters on a calm and sunny day as you row down the lake. I’m excited to provide both academic enrichment and community support to the kiddos through an organization that just “Wow!” me every time. Fun fact, I minored in electrical, mechatronics, and theatre. I’ve interned with Caterpillar, Fermilab, and Oak Park Theatre. That’s all, can’t wait to catch you on the water! |
nya stroud - head coach
Nya joined CTC in the summer of 2012 as an incoming freshman in high school. Nya was introduced to the sport through her elementary school gym teacher. Before joining the team, Nya's teachers and family would describe her as shy. However, through CTC and coaching from Joe, she became more outspoken. Since leaving the team for college, Nya has graduated with a B. A in Human Services and a minor in Psychology. She is now pursuing a master's degree in social work at Depaul University. Nya is excited to see the team grow and sing through the megaphone. ^.^ 
Clement Dunn - SEasonal Coach
Clement Dunn first joined CTC in fifth grade during the winter season of 2015 with his brother. Due to not knowing how to swim he did not return to the team until winter 2016 and then not again until he finally learned to swim in sophmore year, spring 2021. Through consistent attendance and a trustworthy demeanor he became the team captain for the 2022 year. Having now graduated high school he decided to spend his last season with the team coaching his teammates. |
JOE BYRD - COACH
Joe Byrd thanks his older brother Bill for connecting him to rowing. During one of his first experiences in a racing shell, “shocker!”, he flipped. Bill was explaining how to get back in the shell, Portland’s Willamette River was pushing them through downtown, bridges were rushing past, and he could only think, “This sport is SO MUCH FUN!” Joe rowed four years at the University of Washington in Seattle. His most memorable thought: “How can you flip a straight four with really good rowers?” as he went from dry to totally submerged in a slow motion train wreck. What really sealed the deal, was exclaiming “This is going to be so funny in the future!” after he flipped at the dock with a pair partner 3 years ago because they just didn’t bother to close the oarlocks. Maybe he’s just coaching until he can be part of an eight or octuple that flips? Time will tell… 
Tiegan Duncan - seasonal Coach
Tiegan first started rowing in seventh grade. Through a variety of experiences from flipping into Bubbly Creek to riding the L with an underwater robot, they have solidified their love for Chicago and its waterways. Despite the rumor that the Bubbly Creek water now makes them glow in the dark, they are excited to spend this summer on the Chicago River! |