The head athletics trainer at Towson University, Terry O’Brien began his association with Towson in the early 1970’s following three years of military service in the United States Marine Corps that included a tour in Vietnam.
A 1975 Towson graduate, he was a member of the Tigers’ football team as well as the track and field squad. As a member of the Tigers’ undefeated football team in 1974, he was the Tigers’ place kicker and led the team in scoring with 72 points as he kicked 13 field goals, including a school record 50-yarder. He was chosen as the Baltimore Chamber of Commerce Football Scholar-Athlete. In 1975, as he earned the Mason-Dixon Conference shotput title while competing for the indoor track team.
After graduation, he served as assistant football coach under Phil Albert for three years while teaching in the Baltimore City school system.
In 1979, he earned a Master’s degree in Athletic Training from Virginia. He interned at the University of Richmond before becoming Towson’s head athletics trainer in 1980.
O’Brien directs a Sports Medicine staff of six certified trainers and over 30 student trainers. He is active in state, regional and national athletics trainers’ associations. He is the Chair of the College and University Athletic Trainers’ Committee and serves as a member of the National Athletic Trainers Association’s Board of Directors.
In 1992, he was inducted into the Towson Athletic Hall of Fame and has served on its Board of Directors.
His son, Kyle, attends the College of William & Marywhere he plays football. His daughter, Sarah, is a Towson University student.
