Q&A: Tom Shields, Pt. 2

Tom Shields was interviewed on many different topics relating to swimming. As a high level swimmer it was great insight. Part Two.

Nov 8, 2016

By: Troy Nissen

Q&A: Gold Medalist Tom Shields Reflects on Cal Career

One of the most decorated swimmers in Cal history, Tom Shields spent four years as a key piece in the Golden Bears' resurgence as one of the elite college men's teams under coach David Durden.

An 11-time NCAA champion, Shields helped Cal capture back-to-back national team titles, including its first since 1980 when he was a sophomore in 2011, and went on to break numerous school and Pac-12 records before he graduated in 2013.

In Part 1 of FloSwimming's interview with Shields, the 25-year-old discussed his international swimming career, highlighted by his breakthrough Olympic gold medal in the 4x100 medley relay in Rio this year.

Below, we hear the Huntington Beach, California, swimmer's perspective on how his experience as a Cal Bear laid a foundation for his international success and his future plans in the pool.

FloSwimming: What drew you to Cal?

Shields: The main things that stand true through this day are: It is in California (I was never leaving), group-focused success, and opportunity for growth. UC Berkeley does not coddle the students, forcing you to grow up a little bit and take ownership but also giving you more freedom. The team at Cal is 100 percent about group success; there are no favorites or special interests for anyone. We are all focused on being the best we can be individually of course, but as a team we never lose focus on creating a program that truly any athlete can enter and get better, which is something very special.

FloSwimming: You were part of Cal's first NCAA championship-winning team of the David Durden era in 2011 -- what was it like to be a part of it all?

Shields: It was a crazy experience. Fortunately, we had a bunch of support outside of the team there [in the stands] to walk with us through those six sessions. Inside the team, we had great leadership from Nick Ferrif and Nathan Adrian. I had the opportunity to help out under Nathan's wing, and he has always been a great example for me to follow. It was so cool to be a part of such a great long-term goal that finally came to fruition, but it is a joke to think the guys swimming in the meet are the only ones responsible for what we had then, and the team continues to have now.

We have had 6-7 years in the top two, with three times on top. Creating a level of consistency [akin to] Texas and mid-2000s Auburn. [The win in] 2011 was a great first recognition of what we have, but it goes back way further than that. Nort Thornton, Patrick O'Neil, Greg Meehan, Nick Folker, and many others come to mind having a huge impact in creating what we have. And, of course, Yuri [Suguiyama], Joel, Jay, and Dave [Durden], but it really seems like at any point from the mid-2000s on, there is a laundry list of names that have had huge impact that helped build what we have.

FloSwimming: What was your favorite moment as a Cal Bear while competing during your eligibility?

Shields: Day 1 of 2012 NCAAs. I don't think there has been a better start to the meet for a team rated so poorly coming in. We had a huge chip on our shoulder but were still able to keep it fun and light. [Leaders] Nolan Koon, Mathias Gydesen, and Martin Liivamagi did a wonderful job managing those emotions and creating an environment [for success]. We walked out as a team with three of the five swimming titles that day without being expected to win any. From there, everything else just flowed.

FloSwimming: Cal men's swimming has a very close network of alumni. What impact has this had on you?

Shields: Huge, it is something I did not really fully appreciate until recently. If there is something you want to do, there is someone in that field who can help you out. If you stay in the Bay Area, the Olympic Club is a great way to stay connected, in shape, and part of the sport. The network is of course cool, but the main thing is the community. Once you lose the team and the 4-7 classes you swam with, you gain 50 classes of teammates to live life with.

FloSwimming: Making it through UC Berkeley, how did you balance success in the classroom with success in the pool?

Shields: That balance was something I was late to valuing. Thankfully, I was surrounded by a good group of guys to help me get on track. I remember failing a class my freshman year, and Aaron Casey, an older Cal Bear, would not let it go the whole next semester, giving me all kinds of jokes and stuff, which actually made me motivated to study. Another guy on the team [the interviewer] taught me how to write a good essay but also to value studying in fields that are less-traveled at UC Berkeley, as well as inspiring to me personally. That inspired me to seek out religious studies as my source of academic growth.

FloSwimming: Do you have a favorite quote from ASCA Coach of the Year David Durden?

Shields: "Experience is what you get when you don't get what you want."

FloSwimming: What are your plans for the next four years?

Shields: Continue to grow in the sport, as a human, and most importantly with my wife and family. I haven't been the best husband, son, etc. When I thought I was making sacrifices to be a better swimmer, I was leaving my life empty. Honestly, there is a lot more I think I can give the sport and take. But without balance, I have no shot.