Jared O’Brien – Graduate Assistant

O’Brien has been with the Wildcat Varsity program since 2001. During his tenure, he has taken on many roles, most importantly his role as the Scoreboard Operator for all home games. Jared has exhibited great skill in this role, and by many accounts is considered to be the best scoreboard operator in the country. To know “JRod” is to love him. If you know him, you know that another love of his are the Illinois State University Redbirds; “the best college in the country!” Jared has season tickets for football, but you can find him at Redbird events including soccer games, basketball games, baseball games, and softball games too. If you need an update on any male or female sport at ISU, Jared is the man who can “fill you in.” All you have to do is ask. He is no doubt the ISU Redbird #1 fan. “Go Birds!”

Another great gift O’Brien has is the knowledge of every Division I mascot in the country. You name the DI University, and Jared will tell you their respective mascot. Go ahead and try, you can’t stump him! Jared’s parents, Dan and Nancy O’Brien can be found at most Wildcat sporting events too. After having 3 boys graduate from Normal West, they continue to attend and support Jared, but most importantly, to support Wildcat athletics. Jared and his family continue to be an integral part of the Wildcat program over the past 3 decades. Go Wildcats!