University of Massachusets Athletics
Mass Impact: Lou Panaccione '80
December 01, 2020 | Men's Track & Field, Athletics Department, The Minutemen Club
Welcome to Mass Impact, presented by the UMassFive College Credit Union! Mass Impact is a new series featuring alumni discussing how their experiences at the University of Massachusetts helped shape their lives and made them the people they are today.
Today, Lou Panaccione '80 reflects on the impact of his track and field career has helped him in his professional career as the co-founder and CEO of OOFOS.
What transferrable skills did you learn as a student-athlete that have helped you be successful in your field?
"First and foremost TEAM WORK. This was key to our success in athletics at UMass and has been key to success in my business life. Most people see cross country and track as individual sports, but I know my teammates and I really saw them as team sports. We would help each other achieve higher levels by the way we worked out and competed together. It was all about how the team did that mattered to us at the end of the day. That was such a valuable lesson as I got into business as it is all about how the company does that matters and working with your colleagues to make each other successful is more powerful than any company who has great people, but don't work together."
Who had the greatest influence on you during your time at UMass?
"I would have to say Coach Ken O'Brien. First of all I had more exposure to Coach than any other UMass faculty as I would see him every day for cross country or track workouts and most Saturdays for meets. He was always focused on making sure I had balance in my time at UMass understanding that my athletic experience was important, but also giving me flexibility and help if needed, with the academic and social experiences."
How did being a Division I student-athlete help shape who you are today?
"It was instrumental on a number of fronts. The lifelong friends I made have had a huge impact on who I am and an important part of my life now as we share many personal and business experiences and support each other. Also, by being a student-athlete I had to learn how to establish an intense work out schedule and have carried that attitude forward in my life by finding time to run or work out regularly for pure health and well being purposes."
How has UMass Athletics left a lasting impact on your life?
"It has helped make me a well-rounded person, valuing what has become the lifelong friendships I have established at UMass and the importance of using my time efficiently. Being a student athlete you need to be efficient with your time as you have your academic and athletic life that are both demanding. Carrying that efficiency into life beyond school is so important as I have to balance business, family and personal fitness endeavors every day."
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Today, Lou Panaccione '80 reflects on the impact of his track and field career has helped him in his professional career as the co-founder and CEO of OOFOS.
What transferrable skills did you learn as a student-athlete that have helped you be successful in your field?
"First and foremost TEAM WORK. This was key to our success in athletics at UMass and has been key to success in my business life. Most people see cross country and track as individual sports, but I know my teammates and I really saw them as team sports. We would help each other achieve higher levels by the way we worked out and competed together. It was all about how the team did that mattered to us at the end of the day. That was such a valuable lesson as I got into business as it is all about how the company does that matters and working with your colleagues to make each other successful is more powerful than any company who has great people, but don't work together."
Who had the greatest influence on you during your time at UMass?
"I would have to say Coach Ken O'Brien. First of all I had more exposure to Coach than any other UMass faculty as I would see him every day for cross country or track workouts and most Saturdays for meets. He was always focused on making sure I had balance in my time at UMass understanding that my athletic experience was important, but also giving me flexibility and help if needed, with the academic and social experiences."
How did being a Division I student-athlete help shape who you are today?
"It was instrumental on a number of fronts. The lifelong friends I made have had a huge impact on who I am and an important part of my life now as we share many personal and business experiences and support each other. Also, by being a student-athlete I had to learn how to establish an intense work out schedule and have carried that attitude forward in my life by finding time to run or work out regularly for pure health and well being purposes."
How has UMass Athletics left a lasting impact on your life?
"It has helped make me a well-rounded person, valuing what has become the lifelong friendships I have established at UMass and the importance of using my time efficiently. Being a student athlete you need to be efficient with your time as you have your academic and athletic life that are both demanding. Carrying that efficiency into life beyond school is so important as I have to balance business, family and personal fitness endeavors every day."
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