A Community Built Around Football

SEATTLE - The O'Dea Irish are known across the state for their excellent athletics, but a part that is not talked about enough is their rich and beautiful community that surrounds them.

Anywhere and everywhere, people attend O'Dea to get both a great education and athletic opportunities. Along the years, there have been many outstanding brothers and that builds rich history within the O'Dea sports community.

"I think what's so great, is that when we had like auctions and events for the school, the alumni would give back to us," said Parker D'Anna ('18), "to help us with football gear or anything that needed work around the school."

"You won't find any tailgates, like how O'Dea families tailgate," commented Mario Moriarty ('86).

A main way the Irish community is built through is the sports. Football, basketball, baseball, soccer, and lacrosse. You name it. There are many brothers that are successful on the field and court.

It's through the success of the teams throughout O'Dea and the production they do, that alumni want to give back to carry on the great tradition.

Sports bring the O'Dea community together because they are a big part of our lives, and the lessons you can learn allow us to carry them on throughout our lives.

Milton Hopkins Jr., a football player at O'Dea, found that every time they would say thank you to the fans after a game, it was a special feeling.

"All those people cheering for you no matter the outcome, and then when they show up again and again, you feel so appreciative," said Hopkins ('21).

Usually, at the football games there will be a group of alumni watching the game with their lettermen's jacket and talking with each other.

"Even now, when my son doesn't go to O'Dea, I still try to catch at least one football game a year just to see if they're good or not," said Moriarty ('86), "so I always watch games because they are good every year."

For as long as O'Dea stands, it's sports community will forever be rich with great alumni to lead them in charge.

"Myles [Gaskin] taught me a lot on how to be a more mature running back at O'Dea, and I am forever grateful for that," Jason Brown Jr ('24).

There is no question whether if the community of O'Dea is strong, but the question is, Who is the next star?