O’Brian White

Classroom

O’Brian White has made significant strides in the classroom since his initial enrollment at the University of Connecticut in the fall of 2005. A sociology major, White has aspirations of giving back to his local community in positive ways through community based organizations which teach youngsters life skills and promote self esteem through academic and athletic achievement. On track to graduate in December of 2008, after only 3 ½ years, White is looking forward to these opportunities to change the landscape and futures of young people in both his native Jamaica and his hometown of Scarborough, Ontario.

Character

As one of four captains of the 2008 men’s soccer team, White is heavily involved in the Leadership Council and believes in giving back to the both the campus and community who support him both on and off the field of play. O’Brian acts as the liaison to the Student Athlete Advisory Committee and is always in a position to assist the University, his teammates, his coaching staff, his peers and the residents of the local community. Having had the opportunity to be recognized for his play on the field following the 2007 season, White understands his place as a role model within the greater campus and Storrs community. He is always willing to meet new people and interacts positively with students and fans. He is cognizant that youth learn from the people around them and his outgoing and contagious personality, along with his willingness to stop for photographs, go out of his way to sign autographs or respond to email, is a true testament to his character.

Community

Throughout O’Brian’s academic career at the University of Connecticut, he has been involved with the Husky Sport program. Husky Sport is a University sponsored program that connects UCONN students and student-athletes with urban youths through school-based, after school, and summer activities. Husky Sport’s goal is to expose these youths to a variety of sports and physical activity. While involved in sport and physical activity, participants are also assisted in developing healthier lifestyles and forming positive relationships. White’s participation with this group has heavily influenced his career choice and academic pursuits. In addition to his time working with Husky Sport, White also volunteered at the 2008 Special Olympics and has spent countless hours engaged in activities with local youths, from doing small group soccer training and foot skill sessions to engaging in informative talks about his experiences as a student and athlete at a Division I institution.

Competition

As a junior in 2007 O’Brian was named the 2007 M.A.C. Hermann Trophy winner after having played and started in all 24 games, averaging 79 minutes per contest. White led all NCAA Division I men’s scorers in points with 53 and goals with 23, including six in postseason. He was selected as the BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Year and was also a unanimous choice on the all-conference first team after earning conference Player of the Week honors five times during the season. Throughout the season White enjoyed seven multi-goal efforts, including three hat tricks to become the first player in UConn history to tally back-to-back hat tricks, as well as three in a career. O’Brian holds school record for goals in a season and stands in eighth all-time with 101 career points (40g, 21a). Following his junior White was the recipient of numerous awards, from the Connecticut Junior Soccer Association Connecticut Athlete of the Year to being recognized by the Connecticut Sports Writers Association. As a senior, White has been selected as a preseason All-American and was named to the Mac Hermann Trophy watch list for the 2008 season.