THOMAS J. O'CONNOR '68

Basketball

One of the premier guards of the 'guard-rich' era of Assumption College men's basketball, TOM O'CONNOR played for Hall of Fame Coaches Andy Laska and Joe O'Brien in the 1960s. The Greyhounds participated in an N.C.A.A. Division II record 15 straight regional tournaments from 1963-77 . . . O'Connor was a major cog in four of those N.C.A.A. regional tournament teams including the regional champion in 1966.

For his career, he averaged 12.5 points-per-game and scored 1,121 points, then the third-leading scorer in the College's history. As a freshman, he averaged 10.2 points-per-game, 5.5 rebounds with 95 assists as the team finished 16-6 (winning 10 straight at one point) advacing to the New England regional final. As a sophomore he averaged 13.1 points-per-game, 4.4 rebounds for an 18-6 regional champion (the team won nine straight in January-February) before bowing in the regional Bi-District playoff.

He averaged 12.5 points-per-game for a 17-5 regional finalist as a junior (and, his team enjoyed another 10-game win streak). As a senior he captained the first of Coach O'Brien's teams (averaging 14.0 points) to a 15-7 overall record and a fourth regional berth.

He was named all-New England by the Associated Press (all divisions) four straight years and by United Press International three straight years. He was also accorded all-district honors by the N.A.B.C. (National Association of Basketball Coaches) in both his junior and senior years.

Individually, he scored 19 points in his third varsity game against Merrimack and always is remembered for his 27-point effort vs. Providence in his sophomore year . . . matching Providence College all-America Jimmy Walker point-for-point. His career high was 28 points vs. WPI in 1966-67. He finished his career with 19 points vs. American International and 24 points vs. Springfield College in the 1968 regional tournament. He also played in the New England Hall of Fame all-star game.

Today, he is the Vice-President/Director of Athletics at George Mason University (Fairfax, VA), while previously serving as Athletics Director at Loyola, MD College (1976-86), Santa Clara, CA University (1986-92), and St. Bonaventure, NY University (1992 94). He was also head basketball coach at Dartmouth College (1972-74) and at Loyola, MD College (1974-76). He also served as a teacher/coach at Clinton, MA High School after graduation.

He is married to the former Barbara Martin and the couple has four grown children . . . Jennifer, Heather, Amy and Todd . . . and five grandchildren.