WASHINGTON – A historic gift to Georgetown University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics from the O'Brien Family was recently announced creating the first women's rowing endowed scholarship in program history. With this generous gift, the O'Briens have set women's rowing on a course for success providing funding for a student-athlete in perpetuity.

The O'Briens of Darien, Connecticut have a long and successful history at Georgetown and their commitment to the women's rowing program comes as no surprise to its many supporters. Michael (B'88) and Kate (C'89) O'Brien were both student-athletes on the Hilltop as Michael, currently a managing director at Investcorp, was a member of the men's crew team, while Kate was on the sailing team.

They come from a large Hoya family with Michael's father, Michael Sr. (B'61) and brother Matthew (B'92) also participating in crew for the Blue & Gray. Michael and Kate's twin daughters Caroline (C'20, MS'24) and Elisabeth (C'20) rowed on the lightweight squad, and their daughter Josephine (C'23) is a current junior on the team. Additionally, their son Owen (C'25) is set to join the men's crew squad this fall.

What They're Saying...

Lee Reed
Francis X. Rienzo Director of Intercollegiate Athletics
"We are extremely grateful for the generosity of the O'Brien Family in their leadership to establish the first ever endowed scholarship for the women's rowing program. Athletic scholarships are an essential part of recruiting the best and brightest student-athletes to the Hilltop."

The O'Brien Family
"Georgetown rowing has had a profound impact on our family's lives and we are thankful to be in the position to make this scholarship possible. Our hope is that this scholarship provides similar opportunities for generations of women's rowers to come."

Kendall Mulligan
Women's Rowing Head Coach
"Our program is deeply grateful for the generous commitment by the O'Brien Family to provide our rowers with this scholarship. The scholarship will enable us to grant greater opportunities for student-athletes to compete on the Hilltop today and in the future. In what has been a difficult year for intercollegiate athletics, I'm excited to share this milestone with the community."

Pat McArdle
Executive Director for Athletic Relations / Rowing Administrator
"I was thrilled to hear that the O'Brien Family committed to create the first scholarship endowment in program history. Our rowing community has continued to show their support for both of our programs and providing our student-athletes with the resources and opportunities to succeed."