Ever wondered just how strong the UO connection is? Susan Town Shea ’70 and husband Terry Shea ’68 and M.A. ’70 are University of Oregon graduates whose stories and experiences exemplify the power of the UO network.  Having moved 14 times for Terry’s collegiate and NFL coaching positions, they now live in Kansas City, where Terry is the transition quarterback coach for the St. Louis Rams. However, their connection to football and the UO has remained a constant theme, threading through their lives. 

During their time at UO, Terry and Susan were involved and active on campus. Terry, recruited by Len Casanova, played as one of the quarterbacks for the UO football team from 1964 to 1967, and was the graduate assistant coach at UO for the ’68 and ’69 seasons. Terry was also president of Sigma Alpha Epsilon. Susan, an active member of Kappa Kappa Gamma, was chosen to be the Sigma Chi Sweetheart her freshman year, served on the Homecoming Court her junior year and studied abroad at the University of Vienna before starting student teaching in the spring of her senior year.

Being so busy, it’s no wonder that Terry and Susan didn’t meet until her senior year. The Sheas met in the spring of 1970 and despite an interesting first date, were engaged five weeks later. Terry took Susan for a picnic on the McKenzie River; although the picnic and conversation were a success, imagine their surprise as they looked up to find a herd of cattle surrounding them. The native Californians were certain they would be stampeded and carefully retreated from their spot by the river. The Sheas still laugh remembering this memorable first date, and named their black lab McKenzie to commemorate the date that began their 38-year-long marriage. Their other Labrador is a chocolate male named Blitz.

Although the couple has traveled the country for football coaching positions, the Sheas have almost always connected with UO alumni whether coaching for the California Golden Bears or the Miami Dolphins. The Sheas have fond memories of their time at Utah State with Bruce Snyder ’63 who twice lettered for UO as both the linebacker and fullback for the 1960 squad and his wife, Linda. Snyder, the head coach of Utah State from1976-82 invited Terry, who at the time was coaching at Mt. Hood Community College, to join him as an assistant coach for Utah State. Terry accepted the offer, and he and a nine-month pregnant Susan packed all their belongings in their Volvo station wagon to make the drive from Portland to Logan, Utah. “Terry was sick with Hong Kong Flu at the time, and I had to drive the car.” Susan laughs remembering, “We looked like Beverly Hillbillies with our two golden retrievers way in the back, a frozen side of beef and our belongings strapped to the top of the car.”

Denny Schuler ’ 69, also joined the Duck alumni, as offensive coordinator for Utah State, 1976-82. Schuler was a two-year letter winner and two-year starter for Oregon as a wide receiver in 1967 and 1968 and went on to be the defensive coordinator for Oregon from1986-92. His wife, Cindy Bryan’69, was a Pi Beta Phi, UO cheerleader, and Susan’s friend.

The Sheas also remember being on campus with another UO football star, Gunther Cunningham and his wife, Renee Michel ’68. Cunningham, began his coaching career in 1969, coaching the Ducks for three years. He later went on to coach the Kansas City Chiefs and is now the Defensive Coordinator for the Detroit Lions. Terry, also a Letterman in ’67, shares the Chiefs’ connection having been the quarterback coach from 2001 to 2006. Terry has also coached as the Chicago Bears offensive coordinator, Miami Dolphins and St. Louis Rams QB coach.

During that time, Susan stayed busy as national officer of the American Football Coaches Wives Association (AFCW). ‘The wives got tired of just going (to American Football Coaches Association meetings) and decided to productively consolidate,’ says Susan. The AFCW is still an active organization where coaches’ wives support charities, scholarships for women and publish cookbooks and newsletters.

Susan has brought this same spunk and passion for being involved to all areas of her life. Diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 1978, for the past 32 years Susan has been an inspiration, remaining active raising three children, Jennifer, Garrett and Daniel. Both Garrett and Daniel share their parents’ love for sports and are currently active in sports media and management. The Sheas’ connection to UO, football and Greek Life has enriched their lives, and they are loyal Ducks who continue to be proud Oregon alumni.