Photo by: Jennifer Irwin
Golf and running, what could be more challenging? OU’s Coach Eadaoin Cronin has conquered them both.
Do you know Cronin? Unless you are on the golf team or a member of the Bantry Bay Golf Club in Cork, Ireland, as an undergraduate at Ottawa University you probably don’t. But then it is possible you have heard her sing “The Star-Spangled Banner” at certain OU athletic events.
An accomplished golfer and graduate of Ursuline College in Pepper Pike, Ohio, Cronin is in her second year of coaching as a graduate assistant for Ottawa University’s golf teams.
Cronin was raised in the southwestern part of Ireland in the town of Bantry. While growing up next to a golf course as a 7-year-old, she fell in love with the game. At 16, Cronin set the course record with a score of 69 (4 under par).
Cronin enjoys the driving aspect of golf.
“When you are physically in shape, it shows when you hit a drive,” she says.
She also appreciates the mental side, adding, “It makes you mentally tough, and you learn to never give up.”
Golf is not Cronin’s only passion.
“My mom used to run cross-country and track at a national level when she was young,” Cronin recalls. “I started running when I was about 8 years old, and I really enjoyed the sport. Running helps me to clear my mind and de-stress.”
Through a golf scholarship and her passion for running, Cronin attended Ursuline College to pursue a degree. At Ursuline, Cronin was able to balance the heavy work load of being a multi-sport athlete. Playing NCAA DII golf for the Arrows of Ursuline, Cronin also ran the 800m, 1000m, and 1 mile for track and field. Cronin also ran the 5km and 6km for their cross-country team.
“I used to just push myself everyday as hard as I possibly could in whatever sport I was competing in. I knew that God had a purpose for me in making me a multi-sport athlete, so I made sure to give all three sports 100 percent,” she says.
“Coach Cronin is really involved and she cares about us more than just on the course,” says Kendra Martin, a junior on the OU Lady Braves golf team. “She is there when we need help on and off the course and gives us the best advice both places.”
A brief glance at her coaches’ bio on the Braves website reveals not only a multi-sport athlete but a decorated one as well. Four times Cronin was All-Conference in golf, twice conference Golfer of the Month, as well as Women’s Golfer of the Year. In 2014-15, Cronin was Women’s Cross Country Runner of the Year.
So which sport is her favorite?
“Golf is great for mental strength. Cross country is a wonderful sport to build up endurance and track helps to improve speed,” she says.
Cronin received her Bachelor’s degree in Business and Sport Management. One might ask, how does someone end up in Kansas much less Ottawa University?
Cronin says, “I wanted to live in a state that I had never been to before, so I chose Kansas! I wanted to pursue an MBA, while also coaching golf at a collegiate level.”
She is now pursuing her Master’s in Business Administration; however, she is not totally sure of what she is looking to do after college.