Sept. 4, 2007

PHILADELPHIA- Former Temple oarsman Sean Casey, a four year member of the varsity eight team under head coach Gavin White from 1997-2001, has been named to Ireland's Men's heavyweight 4 for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China. This is the first time in almost 20 years that an Irish men's heavyweight crew has qualified for the Olympics.

"Sean Casey was one of the most dedicated and self-motivated rowers that I've ever had the pleasure to coach," said head coach Gavin White. "I don't think the guy had one bad day in the four years he was here. Look in the dictionary under `consistency' you'd find Sean's picture. He was one of the most humble young men to ever attend Temple. I am proud to call him a Temple Owl. He is certainly not the biggest guy in rowing, but maybe the toughest."

Casey had a standout career during his time at Temple. In his senior year he was a member of the 2000 varsity eight that captured first place in the Dad Vail Regatta and fifth in the IRA's. In 1999 he was a member of the varsity eight that won the George Washington Invitational, The Murphy Cup, the BIG EAST Championship, the Dad Vail Regatta, and the IRA's. Casey also set a new 10,000 meter (33:32) record at Temple in 1999, shaving 14 seconds off the previous mark. In his sophomore year, 1998, Casey rowed on the varsity eight that won the Navy Day Regatta and placed third in the Princeton Chase. In his first year at Temple, 1997, Casey was a member of the varsity eight that won the Murphy Cup, Dad Vail Regatta, Bergen Cup, and BIG EAST Championship.

Ireland finished fourth in the B final and tenth overall in the Rowing World Championships held in Munich to qualify for the Olympics.