Temple University Athletics
Temple Mourns Passing of Former Athletic Director Dave O’Brien
3.4.14 | General
PHILADELPHIA - Dave O'Brien, one of only nine men to serve as Director of Athletics at Temple University, passed away on March 1 after a six-year battle with cancer. He was 57.
"Dave O'Brien was a respected and admired administrator who accomplished great things at Temple University as well as the other schools he served in his fine career," said Temple University Vice President and Director of Athletics Kevin Clark. "Our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this time."
A graduate of Moravian College and Seton Hall Law School, Mr. O'Brien was named Temple's Director of Athletics in 1996 following five successful years as Long Beach State University's Director of Sports, Athletics and Recreation.
Following his six years at Temple, Mr. O'Brien held the position of Director of Athletics at Northeastern University from 2002 through 2007 before returning to Philadelphia as an auxiliary teaching professor and sport management program director at Drexel University, a position he held until the time of his death.
Mr. O'Brien's tenure at Temple University included many highlights. The University opened the Apollo of Temple – the largest indoor, public venue to ever be constructed north of City Hall. The building was later renamed the Liacouras Center in dedication of former President Peter Liacouras.
Increases in attendance, both in Football and Men's Basketball, were also prevalent during his leadership with each experiencing unprecedented growth. The men's basketball team made five NCAA tournaments, including two Elite Eight appearances in his six years at the helm.
During Mr. O'Brien's tenure at Temple a new athletic mark, which is still in use by the University, was introduced. That mark helped the University generate its highest increase in merchandising sales in a single year.
Mr. O'Brien was a dedicated family man to his wife Eva (nee Foster), sons Kevin (Lindsay), Daniel (Katie), James, and the late Michael O'Brien; his father Alfred and late mother Phyllis (nee Ford); brothers Tim, Pat, Chris, and Jamie O'Brien; and sisters Sean Hunter, Kaky Moore, and Megan Iansito.
Relatives and friends are invited to his visitation in church Saturday, March 8, 2014, from 9:00AM until 10:50AM at St. Rose of Lima Church, 424 S. Main St., North Wales PA 19454, immediately followed by his funeral mass 11:00AM. Int. St. John Neumann Cemetery, Chalfont, PA.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Mike O'Brien Memorial Fund, Stampone Law, 500 Cottman Ave.,Cheltenham, PA 19012.
"Dave O'Brien was a respected and admired administrator who accomplished great things at Temple University as well as the other schools he served in his fine career," said Temple University Vice President and Director of Athletics Kevin Clark. "Our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this time."
A graduate of Moravian College and Seton Hall Law School, Mr. O'Brien was named Temple's Director of Athletics in 1996 following five successful years as Long Beach State University's Director of Sports, Athletics and Recreation.
Following his six years at Temple, Mr. O'Brien held the position of Director of Athletics at Northeastern University from 2002 through 2007 before returning to Philadelphia as an auxiliary teaching professor and sport management program director at Drexel University, a position he held until the time of his death.
Mr. O'Brien's tenure at Temple University included many highlights. The University opened the Apollo of Temple – the largest indoor, public venue to ever be constructed north of City Hall. The building was later renamed the Liacouras Center in dedication of former President Peter Liacouras.
Increases in attendance, both in Football and Men's Basketball, were also prevalent during his leadership with each experiencing unprecedented growth. The men's basketball team made five NCAA tournaments, including two Elite Eight appearances in his six years at the helm.
During Mr. O'Brien's tenure at Temple a new athletic mark, which is still in use by the University, was introduced. That mark helped the University generate its highest increase in merchandising sales in a single year.
Mr. O'Brien was a dedicated family man to his wife Eva (nee Foster), sons Kevin (Lindsay), Daniel (Katie), James, and the late Michael O'Brien; his father Alfred and late mother Phyllis (nee Ford); brothers Tim, Pat, Chris, and Jamie O'Brien; and sisters Sean Hunter, Kaky Moore, and Megan Iansito.
Relatives and friends are invited to his visitation in church Saturday, March 8, 2014, from 9:00AM until 10:50AM at St. Rose of Lima Church, 424 S. Main St., North Wales PA 19454, immediately followed by his funeral mass 11:00AM. Int. St. John Neumann Cemetery, Chalfont, PA.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Mike O'Brien Memorial Fund, Stampone Law, 500 Cottman Ave.,Cheltenham, PA 19012.
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