O’Neill, Thomas P. (1915-2009)
Date Updated
10-19-2019
Department
Human Performance
Academic Rank
Professor
Year Retired from SJSU
1990
Educational Background
Stanford University. 1951 MA
University of Michigan, 1948 BA
Teaching Experience
San Jose State University (coached swimming & diving), 1956-1991
Menlo Atherton High School (coached swimming, diving & water polo), 1954 -1956
Sequoia High School, 1954 (1 semester)
Menlo School, 1952-1953
Administrative and Professional Experience
American Red Cross, 23 years; Aquatics clinics on campus for high school coaches of Northern California, and others in 1958 and 1960;
Lecture and clinic on springboard diving for CAHPER in 1962 at St. Mary's College in Moraga;
Initiated the San Jose State Invitational Open AAU Swimming Meet my first year at San Jose, at the request of George Haines, Santa Clara Swim Club, and Tom Haynie, Stanford University. This was continued each January until I retired in 1969.
Files
Personal Commentary
In 1974 I was invited by Midwest State, Nigeria, to come as an advisor and coach to their swimming and diving program. In July, 1975, Midwest State won the swimming and diving national championships, which was gratifying, to say the least!
Also, I went to an elementary school and a "nursery" school and volunteered to give the children a class in physical education. (I taught a class here at SJSU entitled, "Developmental Motor Experiences for Children"‑‑essentially an elementary P.E. class.) I started a class of 5 year olds at the N. school, and a 1st grade class at the elementary school. It was a delightful learning experience for me. I believe the children and their teachers enjoyed and profited also!
Coaching Record:
Dual meet record for 13 years shows 75 wins, 33 losses, and 3 ties. The team was undefeated in the 1961 and 1962 seasons, beating such teams as Stanford, UCB, UCLA, Oregon U, and Oregon State.
Competing in six State College Championships, we placed first, three times; second, three times.
Competing in six Cal. Davis Relays, we placed first, 4 times; second, 2 times. In our last year at the Relays we won 8 out of 9 events, breaking records in 7 of the 8 events (some of these records were set by Stanford and Cal).
We competed in three NCAA Far‑Western Regional Championships, winning the first two and placing second in the third one.
Competing in three NCAA National Championships, College Division, we placed second in 1966, fourth in 1967. There were some 50 to 60 colleges and universities entered in these meets.
Teaching Assignments:
My annual teaching assignments have included the following Professional Preparation courses: Principles and Analysis of Aquatics; Principles and Analysis of Dance; Developmental Motor Experiences for Children; Advanced Life Saving; Water Safety Instructor's Course. In addition, I have taught activity classes in swimming, diving, gymnastics, and social dance.
Date Completed: 9/96
Adapted from: Biographies of Retired Faculty San Jose State University 1997: A Project of the Emeritus Faculty Association of San Jose State University. San Jose, CA: The University, 1997