Brotherhood and Sports Unite As One For The Boys On Boren

SEATTLE – The word brotherhood has the utmost significance to the boys at O’Dea. It means character, togetherness, and unity as one. As O’Dea approaches its centennial celebration next month in May, it will be official the brotherhood has lasted 100 years. This means it has lasted through the Great Depression, a World War, tensions regarding racial issues in the country, and a global pandemic. All of these issues have torn apart friendships, and relationships throughout the country, but not O’Dea. One of these ways have been through the successful sports programs throughout the school’s history.

While the Irish have had very successful sports programs over the years, their main goal has been training boys to become strong and talented young men. While practices have been meant to test their toughness, the one way that makes the sport enjoyable even through the grueling practices is the brotherhood or togetherness.

“Being with everyone honestly brightens me up when I’m having a bad day or feeling down. Those football practices and lifting sessions with Coach P with my friends are the best parts of my day sometimes and really lift me up,” senior Brendan Murphy said.

Murphy was a team captain and starting linebacker for the football team who was a true leader on and off the field.

“In the classroom he’s a smart kid. He is always brightening up someone’s day with his humor and overall being a really funny guy,” senior baseball player Jeff Woods said.

What’s most impressive about O’Dea’s brotherhood is how strong it radiates throughout all the school’s sports programs. From cross-country, to basketball, to football, there is always some type of brotherhood and unity in the halls of O’Dea High School.