Philadelphia University Head Rowing Coach Chris O'Brien enters his second season of competition, after putting together a tremendous season for an inaugural rowing program.  In his first three months at Philadelphia University, without experienced oarsmen or women, O'Brien guided his crews to three gold medals at the Frostbite Regatta in the Men's Novice Eight, the Women's Novice Eight and the Women's Lightweight Eight. 

O'Brien crews' continued their success in the spring by claiming first place at the Bergen Cup, Philadelphia City Championships, in the Women's Novice Eight.  The season culminated at the 69^th Annual Dad Vail Regatta, the nation's largest collegiate rowing championship, where his Women's Novice Eight captured a 1st place gold medal, winning the Sara Vaughn Trophy.  In doing this, O'Brien and his crew proudly became the first program to ever win the Dad Vail Regatta in its inaugural season.   

O'Brien's coaching career began in 2002 at Monsignor Bonner High School in Drexel Hill, Pa., which has had a strong rowing tradition for more than 40 years.  During his five-year tenure as head freshman coach at Bonner, O'Brien lead his crews to more than 15 championship medals.  In 2004, his Freshman Heavyweight Eight made Bonner history, winning the Catholic League Championship, the Stotesbury Cup Regatta and the High School National Championships.  This was the first time that a freshman crew at Bonner claimed three championships in one season.    

Coach O'Brien began his rowing career in 1994 at Monsignor Bonner High School as a coxswain.  He spent three years as a coxswain for the Varsity Heavyweight Eight.  During his career at Bonner he won every major regatta, including the Stotesbury Cup Regatta and the High School National Championships. For his efforts, O'Brien was invited to the Junior Worlds rowing camp in 1998.

O'Brien's rowing career continued at Villanova University, where he was the coxswain of the Men's Varsity Lightweight Eight, serving as captain of the Men's team his junior and senior years.  During his junior year, he took home the CRASH-B title, the individual world indoor rowing championships.  In 2001, Villanova won the Dad Vail Regatta and competed in the IRA (Intercollegiate Rowing Association) Championships, the oldest collegiate championship in the United States. This continues to be the only Men's Lightweight Eight that Villanova University  has sent to the IRA Regatta. O'Brien continues to travel the world as a coxswain, steering crews in countries such as Ireland, England and Netherlands. 

O'Brien coaches during the off season for Penn AC, an elite rowing club on Boathouse Row in Philadelphia, Pa.  At Penn AC, his lightweight crews have brought home gold medals from the Canadian Henley in 2004 and 2005.  In 2007, O'Brien's lightweight crew won the US Club National Championships in the Men's Lightweight Eight.