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University of Massachusets Athletics
Hall of Fame
O'Brien, Ken
Ken O'Brien
- Induction:
- 2016
- Class:
- 1963
Just the fourth head coach in the history of men's cross country and track and field at the University of Massachusetts, Ken O'Brien has been an integral part of the program's history for more than half a century, first as a student-athlete helping UMass to three consecutive Yankee Conference cross country titles and the 1961 New England championship.
After serving an assistant coach for 18 months under Bill Footrick, O'Brien was named the head coach in 1968 and subsequently guided UMass to 19 conference titles, three New England cross country championships and two IC4A cross country crowns during 50 years leading the program.
A two-time A-10 cross country Coach of the Year (1995 and 2008), O'Brien coached six teams to NCAA cross country championships appearances, 13 individual NCAA qualifiers and six all-Americans. Under his watch, the UMass men's track and field program produced 20 NCAA qualifiers and all-American Vic Morency (javelin, 1999).
O'Brien was also instrumental in the founding of the UMass women's cross country and track and field programs and served as head coach of those programs from their inception in 1975-76 through 1987.
He was inducted into the UMass Athletics Hall of Fame as a member of the Class of 2016.
After serving an assistant coach for 18 months under Bill Footrick, O'Brien was named the head coach in 1968 and subsequently guided UMass to 19 conference titles, three New England cross country championships and two IC4A cross country crowns during 50 years leading the program.
A two-time A-10 cross country Coach of the Year (1995 and 2008), O'Brien coached six teams to NCAA cross country championships appearances, 13 individual NCAA qualifiers and six all-Americans. Under his watch, the UMass men's track and field program produced 20 NCAA qualifiers and all-American Vic Morency (javelin, 1999).
O'Brien was also instrumental in the founding of the UMass women's cross country and track and field programs and served as head coach of those programs from their inception in 1975-76 through 1987.
He was inducted into the UMass Athletics Hall of Fame as a member of the Class of 2016.
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