(1993) - The only Olympic medalist in the school's history, Shelagh Donohoe of Lowell got her start in rowing at the University of Lowell under coach Derek Hartwick. She is the first member of the crew program to be elected to the Athletic Hall of Fame. She was elected to the Athletic Hall of Fame in her second year of eligibility.
She was a four-year member of the women's team rowing in a varsity boat all four seasons. Her contributions on and off the water helped propel the crew program to the prominence it has enjoyed. According to former Director of Athletics, Dr. Jim Ciszek, she "was an effective advocate for the program and a tireless promoter of the needs and interest in the sport."
Among her collegiate rowing highlights was the winning of a bronze medal in the Varsity Four boat at the 1987 Dad Vail Regatta in Philadelphia. Rowing in the Women's Varsity 8 boat her first three years, Donohoe helped the boat to numerous victories during the 1985 fall and 1986 spring seasons including a top twelve finish at the 1986 Dad Vail Regatta.
In 1989, she earned a spot at the Boston Rowing Center, a national training site for the US National team, and was a national champion from 1989-92.
Shelagh made her first US national team in 1989 and competed at the World Championships at Bled, Yugoslavia. She made the US national team the next three years winning a silver medal in 1990 in Tasmania, Australia and in 1991 at Vienna, Austria.
Shelagh competed at many other international competitions including the prestigious Lucerne, Switzerland Regatta where she won a silver medal in 1990 and 1991. She capped off her rowing career by winning a silver medal at the 1992 Summer Olympic Games in Barcelona, Spain.
