Conor S. O'Brien (2020) - Bucknell Athletics Hall of Fame

Conor S. O'Brien

Induction:
2020
Class:
2010

Conor O'Brien was the quintessential attacking center midfielder who became one of the most-decorated players in the history of the Bucknell men's soccer team. As a senior in 2009, O'Brien led the Patriot League in goals, assists and points, he won his second straight Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year award, and then he became Bucknell's first soccer All-American in 33 years when he was named to the NSCAA All-America Second Team.

O'Brien, who was a three-time All-Region and three-time All-Patriot League honoree, was one of 15 semifinalists for the Hermann Trophy, given to the national player of the year. He was also named the Philadelphia Soccer News Player of the Year and was a finalist for the Soccer News Network National Player of the Year honor after a magnificent senior season. In 2009, O'Brien recorded a point in 17 of the team's 23 games, including a school-record 11-game points streak. Seven of his 11 goals were game-winners, including a memorable overtime goal against Lafayette in the Patriot League Tournament semifinals. The Bison would win the league title two days later, and then he assisted on the winning goal in a 1-0 victory over Princeton in the NCAA Tournament first round.

O'Brien led the Bison to two Patriot League titles and two NCAA Tournament wins, and the 2009 team won a school-record 17 games (17-6-0). A two-year captain, O'Brien finished his career with 26 goals, 25 assists and 77 points. The point total ranked sixth in school history and was the program's highest in more than 20 years (all five players ranked ahead of him are already in the Hall of Fame). His 25 assists were second-most in Bucknell history, trailing only Hall-of-Famer Dave Domsohn.

A native of Mt. Sinai, N.Y., and a graduate of St. Anthony's High School, O'Brien went on to a successful pro career, primarily in Denmark and Austria. In 2016, he was named to the Patriot League 25th Anniversary Team.