PHILADELPHIA, Pa. Chris O'Brien was named Head Crew Coach at Philadelphia University today, in an announcement made by University Director of Athletics Tom Shirley. A former standout coxswain at Villanova University, O'Brien takes over a first-year Philadelphia University program that will begin varsity competition in the fall of 2006.
"Chris is the perfect person to lead this program," said Shirley of the appointment. "He is a young, vibrant individual that has demonstrated the dedication it will take to get things up and running. His background and experience as both a crew coach and a former collegiate coxswain have prepared him for this opportunity and we are very excited to have him aboard." O'Brien comes to the University with a wealth of experience, including serving as an assistant coach at Monsignor Bonner High School in Drexel Hill, Pa., as well as serving as an assistant with the Penn AC Lightweight Team. With Bonner, he has helped the program to three Philadelphia Catholic League and Philadelphia City Championships in the Freshman 8, as well as a first ever National Championship. As a two-time captain at Villanova in 2000 and 2001, he served as the coxswain of the Wildcat'"s Men's Lightweight all four years, rowing as a world and national champion.
"The opportunity to add a storied and prestigious sport such as crew is something that we are very excited about," said Philadelphia University President James P. Gallagher, Ph.D. "The addition of someone of Chris' pedigree has heightened our expectations, as his expertise speaks for itself and certainly bodes well for the future of the program. There is no doubt that he will put us in a position to compete with the other local schools in traditional events such as the Dad Vail Regatta in the very near future."