Flash Points:
- Former Women's Cross Country/Track & Field athlete Taryn Sheehan is featured.
- Sheehan graduated in 2007 as a History major and a Political Science/Pre-Law.
- She is now the Associate Head Coach of Cross Country/Track & Field at Western Michigan University.
LORETTO, Pa. - In the sixth edition of the "Flash Back" Feature Series, we highlight Taryn Sheehan, a former Women's Cross Country/Track & Field athlete who graduated in 2007. The "Flash Back" series is an initiative by the Saint Francis Student-Athlete Development Center designed to provide updates of former SFU student-athletes who are doing great things in the "real world". Each month, two former student-athletes will be featured in a question and answer format.
Name: Taryn Sheehan
Current hometown: Kalamazoo, Michigan
Graduation Year at Saint Francis: 2007
Major(s)/minor(s) at Saint Francis: B.A. History, Minor Political Science, Pre Law
Why Saint Francis University? Loved the campus and welcoming environment.
Clubs and organizations involved in both inside and outside of athletics while at Saint Francis: SGA, Student Ambassador.
Favorite professor while at Saint Francis: Dr. Whisler
Current profession: Associate Head Cross Country/Track & Field Coach Western Michigan University
Job history (Jobs and Titles held since graduating from Saint Francis):
Assistant Coach Western Michigan University 2009-2011
Assistant Coach University of Louisville 2011-2016
Does your current profession relate to your major? If not, why did you decide to go a different route? My current profession may not specifically relate as some may think to history however I have taken many of the skills I gained as a history student. Coaching and recruiting athletes is about building and establishing relationships, and understanding of peoples backgrounds and environments.
How was the job search process for you? Any advice for student-athletes currently on the job hunt? The job process is very much reliant upon building and establishing relationships with other people. You never know who may have a connection or be willing to help lead you in the right direction. Don't be afraid to be persistent and be your own advocate.
What is your favorite part of your job and why? The unpredictability; no two days are ever the same. Each days is a new challenge with new problems that often requires making adjustments on the fly. I also really enjoy the relationships I have built with co-workers and the athletes I have had the opportunity to coach over the years.
What is something you wish you could have done that you didn't do when you were at Saint Francis? Or what is something you would have done differently? I don't know if there is anything I would have done differently, maybe only appreciated the struggle more. I really enjoyed being involved on campus in as many aspects as possible. The lessons I learned at Saint Francis helped provide me necessary skills to mature and grow.
What did you do in the year immediately after graduating? Graduate School
What is one class you recommend that student-athletes should take and why? Elective in a class non-related to your major. Best part of college is exploring other areas and opportunities you may have never been exposed too. I really enjoyed taking art classes with Mr. Olson and the passion he brings to his profession and studies.
How did being a student-athlete help you in your career? One of the biggest ways being a student-athlete has helped is maintaining a busy workload. I am constantly managing many moving parts at one time and adapting to situations in the heat of the moment. Being a student-athlete helped lay the foundation for successfully handling a lot of responsibility.
What is the single most important piece of advice you would give student-athletes? Enjoy the journey.I didn't understand this as an undergraduate but the experience you have as a student-athlete is one of the most special times of your life and it goes incredibly fast. The highs and lows only help galvanize the unique opportunity you have at Saint Francis. The experiences in Loretto is such that only Saint Francis alumni understand, and forges bonds that last a lifetime.
What is your favorite memory from Saint Francis? Many of my favorite memories just involve small moments or things that really didn't seem like a big deal at the time. Winters were rough, but it some ways it was a struggle we all experienced. Trudging through the snow in the mall to Torvian, or impromptu snow ball fights. Speaking of Torvian, I definitely miss weekend brunch!
Contact Information - Twitter: @tmsheehanruns
Additional Information - Reside in Kalamazoo with my husband Ryan Sheehan, SFU Alumnus 2005, with our daughter Sloane
