Sean Gavin came to Oberlin to pursue his dream of becoming a professional trombonist. His plan worked out perfectly—well, sort of.
 
"My parents were adamant, and rightfully so, that I should get a non-conservatory degree as well."
 
It proved to be a good call by mom and dad considering Sean now manages a mutual fund at Fidelity. Although his co-workers might get to enjoy the occasional trombone serenade, that probably wasn't what Sean was planning during his college application process. Like many Oberlin students, his priorities changed over his four years here.
 
"The trombone part became less important along the way to post-graduation, but it certainly complemented my development over the years."
 
A self-described underachiever, Sean decided to throw varsity football and club rugby on his plate along with the very challenging double-degree program he went on to finish in just four years.
 
"It was a challenge time-wise. I would say for me it worked relatively well because football was in the fall and rugby in the springtime. Games were always on Saturdays so I never had to travel during the week."
 
However, we all know being a college athlete requires more than just showing up for the games on Saturday.
 
"Practice was always after orchestra rehearsal so it was something that fit in really well. It was challenging at times, but I learned a lot about time management. It also gave me something to focus on outside my studies or musical practice. It gave me a complete release."
 
With everything on his plate, Sean still found time to reflect on and appreciate the impact each part of the college had on his development as a person, a professional and most importantly how to be a true Obie for life.
 
"Each part of the college taught me something very important and I really believe the college was formative in showing me how to learn and how to use my mind. The conservatory was about dedication and expertise and, oddly enough, athletics was about harmony."
 
And harmony isn't easy to achieve.
 
"The football team had 34 guys, all with different levels of knowledge about football and from different places in the world, and [we had to learn] how you come together as a group in order to compete on the field together. We had everyone ranging from people who had been all-conference in high school to people like me who'd never really played before. So how do you make that work? And how do you fight through adversity and stay together as a unit? That harmony was something that has helped me as much as any other part of my education did."
 
Not surprisingly, Sean and his teammates are still in harmony to this day.
 
"What I remember most are the people I played with. For the first 10 years after college we used to get together at least twice a year. Now that we all have kids, it's a little tougher. But a lot of us were together at Oberlin for the last game in the football stadium, which was fun."
 
Although Sean was far from team MVP during his playing days, he somehow still managed to become the current president of the Heisman Club (Can we get a recount someone? Anyone?).
 
"I think it's important that, when you get so much from something, you give back to what helped you out so much in life. And it's also inspiring for me."
 
Although Sean hasn't been able to start up an annual office olympics at work just yet to show off his skills, he says Oberlin athletics gives back to him in other ways every single day while on the job.
 
"In order to be successful in my field you have to be focused, dedicated and have the ability to roll with periods of negativity in the market. Oberlin athletics taught me many lessons on how to work through those tough periods in a team setting. I now use those skills with my co-workers, and together we reap the benefits."
 
Sean does not stop his giving back with the Heisman Club. Each year at Fidelity, he hosts the Oberlin College Business Scholars Program during their visit to Boston.
 
"It's inspiring to do that because the students are so inquisitive and smart. They are full of zest and excitement for life. It is invigorating for me because I can sense how excited the students are about what I do! It is really encouraging and makes me want to help them out as much as I can."
 
In true giving fashion, Sean even offers some advice for student- athletes considering Oberlin—so listen up, you future Olympians!
 
"You're going to meet some of the best people in the world; you are going to have one of the best experiences in terms of meeting some amazing teammates; you are going to compete at a high level; and you are going to get an amazing education."
 
Wait there's more ….
 
"You are going to be inspired. There are some places that can offer one of those things, but I think Oberlin is unique in that it's a place where you get all aspects of your education. You get great professors, you get amazing student-athletes that you're going to spend a lot of time with, and you get a high level of inspiration from all that creativity on campus. I think the Oberlin experience a rare thing in the world."

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