Senior Spotlight: Thomas O'Shaughnessy, Crew
4/14/2020
A four-year member of the Owls, Thomas O’Shaughnessy has been a major contributor for Temple since his first day on campus. After a brief stay in the freshman eight, he moved up to varsity boats shortly thereafter. O’Shaughnessy racked up gold medals at the Bergen Cup (V4), Murphy Cup (3V8), and Jacksonville Sprints (2V8) racing in varsity lineups all spring. From there, he was a mainstay in Temple’s top lineups, including winning Dad Vail gold with the second varsity eight in 2018. O’Shaughnessy made Temple’s Henley Royal Regatta roster in 2018, competing in the varsity four, also racing at the IRA National Championships that year. As a junior and senior, he raced in the Owl’s varsity eight boat, including a top-10 finish at the historic Head of the Charles Regatta in 2019. O’Shaughnessy will graduate from the College of Liberal Arts in May with a degree in Global Studies.
Owlsports.com caught up with O'Shaughnessy, as he finishes his degree at Temple.
In the book of your life, what’s the title of the Temple chapter? The Learning Curve.
What’s the best part about being a member of the crew team at Temple/what will you miss the most? The best part is the sense of camaraderie you get. You really feel as if you are surrounded by your brothers, and you know the friendships you made during your four years will be for life (as cliche as that sounds).
What is your favorite memory of being a student-athlete at Temple? Winning the 2018 Dad Vail Regatta with the 2V. Even though I had rowed for six years prior, this was my first big win, and the first time I had been part of a massive overall team effort and statement. We did not have the best start to the season and it took a while for us to find a good footing, but with a lot of work, trust in the process, and extra afternoon practices with coach Scott Waters we built momentum through the season and crescendoed at the right time. I also remember cheering for the Varsity 8 and then running from the finish line back to the boathouse so I could congratulate my teammates on their win - a testament to the camaraderie of TUMC. This win led us to qualify for the IRA National Championship Regatta, where we proved ourselves against more established programs, and then on to Henley, which for most of us was a season many dream of, but few ever achieve.
If you could give advice to your freshman year self, what would it be? Talk to new people, go to new places, be more open to new experiences - you’ll be surprised by what you might find.
Where do you see yourself in five years? No idea. I’ve always wanted to work or study abroad, so hopefully that. But as long as I am doing something I find interesting - whether that be studying for a masters or law degree or working, I think I will be happy and have a sense of fulfillment.
I'd like to thank my parents, sister, and dog first and foremost. Through eight years of rowing, I can count on one hand the amount of regattas they’ve missed: they’ve always supported and pushed me through the soaring highs and crushing lows, and I can never thank them for their support. All the classes I’ve shared a team with: 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, and of course the class of 2020. I wouldn’t be who I am today had I not know the people that make up all of these classes, from the lessons learned and the memories shared. The coaching staff - Brian Perkins, Gus Goettner, Jim Glavin, Sean McKenna, Fergal Barry, Jim McLaughlin, and Devon Teichmann - all of whom helped make me the person I am today and imparted priceless knowledge to me, not only about rowing, but about life. A shoutout is also due to coach Scott Waters, with whom I spent a lot of time during my tenure with TUMC under his watchful eye. Lastly, to everyone who has wished me luck or supported me in any role, big or small: it has meant the world to me and has not gone unnoticed.Thomas O'Shaughnessy, Temple Crew Class of 2020
