# Tom Regan — Stover at Yale character guide > Tom Regan in Stover at Yale by Owen Johnson. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Regan, Tommy **First appearance:** 0001-ii ## Snapshot A proud scholarship boy who refuses every helping hand, Regan means to earn his place at Yale on his own hard terms. ## Who they are Regan comes from nothing and believes in nothing but independence, clean government, and hard fighters, and he tells Stover plainly that he must get absolute hold of himself before he can do anything. He won't let the University carry him, insisting he needs the hardest things to come up against, and he plans to work his way into South Middle and the Co-op rather than take the easier path. His fierce self-reliance sharpens Stover's sense of what character costs. ## Relationships ### [Dink Stover](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/stover_at_yale_se/characters/dink_stover) _friendship_ Tom Regan is a loyal and supportive friend to Dink Stover, often acting as a moral anchor and companion in social and athletic pursuits. ### [Joe Hungerford](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/stover_at_yale_se/characters/joe_hungerford) _friendship_ Joe Hungerford and Tom Regan are friends and mutual associates of Dink Stover, interacting within the same social circle. ### [Dink Stover](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/stover_at_yale_se/characters/dink_stover) _friendship_ Tom Regan is a loyal and supportive friend to Dink Stover, often acting as a moral anchor and companion in social and athletic pursuits. ### [Dink Stover](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/stover_at_yale_se/characters/dink_stover) _friendship_ Tom Regan is a loyal and supportive friend to Dink Stover, often acting as a moral anchor and companion in social and athletic pursuits. ### [Joe Hungerford](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/stover_at_yale_se/characters/joe_hungerford) _friendship_ Joe Hungerford and Tom Regan are friends and mutual associates of Dink Stover, interacting within the same social circle. ### [Joe Hungerford](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/stover_at_yale_se/characters/joe_hungerford) _friendship_ Joe Hungerford and Tom Regan are friends and mutual associates of Dink Stover, interacting within the same social circle. ## In the story ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/stover_at_yale_se/chapters/i) Stover's roommate, a serious and determined freshman who is skeptical of Le Baron's influence. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/stover_at_yale_se/chapters/iii) His shampoo by sophomores is recounted by Buck Waters; Stover and McCarthy plan to call him out for wrestling. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/stover_at_yale_se/chapters/vi) Accepts Stover's invitation to the eating club, earns a position as right guard on the football team, and maintains a solitary, purposeful demeanor. ### [The Night Before the Game](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/stover_at_yale_se/chapters/ix) Regan provides steady, fatherly support to Stover, walking with him through the crowds and offering blunt encouragement to calm his nerves. ### [The Game Against Princeton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/stover_at_yale_se/chapters/x) Regan is noted as outplaying his man on the line, and later helps Stover to his feet after a tackle. He also leads a cheer for Captain Dana after the game. ### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/stover_at_yale_se/chapters/xi) Studying Greek in his spartan room, reveals his political ambitions and his philosophy of self-reliance and hard work, impressing Stover. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/stover_at_yale_se/chapters/xiii) Mentioned as having stayed away from a meeting on purpose, and as someone the society crowd wants but who has queered himself with them. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/stover_at_yale_se/chapters/xiv) Regan appears after Tap Day, expressing a surprising defense of the system and criticizing those who fear judgment. ### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/stover_at_yale_se/chapters/xv) Visits Stover in his new room; their friendship is genuine and warm. ### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/stover_at_yale_se/chapters/xvi) Participates in the debate at Swazey's rooms and encourages Stover's intellectual awakening, inviting him to talk further. ### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/stover_at_yale_se/chapters/xvii) Stover considers him the ideal friend, with Roman-like qualities and democratic ideals. ### [The Break](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/stover_at_yale_se/chapters/xx) Remains Stover's loyal friend during his period of excess, helping him home after a night of drinking. ### [XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/stover_at_yale_se/chapters/xxiii) Nominated by Stover as the next football captain; described as the born leader of men. ### [XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/stover_at_yale_se/chapters/xxiv) Part of Stover's circle, brings Stover to interest in politics and romance of commonplace things. ### [XXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/stover_at_yale_se/chapters/xxvi) Regan stands by Stover and helps uncover the truth from Troutman and Schley. ### [XXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/stover_at_yale_se/chapters/xxvii) One of Stover's roommates; remains calm during the waiting period; locks arms with the group on Tap Day. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/stover_at_yale_se/characters/tom_regan - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/stover_at_yale_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/stover_at_yale_se/characters