Meet the Team

CRF prides itself on hiring the most talented staff and coaches in the Midwest. Head Coach Mike Wallin and other members of the CRF coaching staff oversee all of our junior and masters teams. All of our coaches are former collegiate athletes, including national champions and former national team members.

Mike Wallin

DIRECTOR OF ROWING & HEAD COACH

Mike Wallin started his rowing career in 1996 as a freshman at St. Joseph's Prep in Philadelphia PA.  During his time there he won 3 Stotesbury Cups and 3 SRA National Championships.  Mike was also a member of the 1998 USA Jr. National Team where he finished 10th in the world in the men’s 2+.  As a senior at St. Joe’s, Mike was named team captain and finished his high school career at the Royal Henley Regatta in England as a quarter finalist in the Princess Elizabeth Cup.

Mike went on to attend the University Of California at Berkeley on a rowing scholarship.  While at Cal, Mike won 4 straight PAC-10 and IRA National Championships.  He was named team captain in 2003 and also earned two First Team Pac-10 all academic honors during his tenure at Cal.

Maida Wallin

Executive Director & Head Middle School Coach

Maida began rowing in 2001 with the Lincoln Park Juniors (now CRF) in Chicago, IL. As a senior with the team, Maida was named the captain and was a member of the first LPJ crew to attend the Youth National Championship. Her boat placed 7th. Maida also participated in the 2002 USRowing National Team Development Camp, where she won a gold medal in the USRowing National Championship 16 and Under 4+.
Maida went on to row at University of California, Los Angeles on a rowing scholarship. As a freshman, Maida was a member of the Freshman 8+, placing 2nd at the San Diego Crew Classic and 5th at the Pac-10 Championship. In 2007, Maida was named to the Pac-10 All-Academic Second Team.

Lily Papaleo

Varsity Girls Assistant

Matt Dignan

Varsity Boys

Scott Feil

Varsity Boys Assistant

John Mansfield

Boatsman

Dana Burlig

Varsity Boys Assistant

Mike Tanner

Novice Boys

Rick Booms

Varsity Girls