Meet a Roadrunner: Lucas O'Brien overcame a heart condition to become a star athlete

Lucas O'Brien

(Feb. 1, 2017) -- Meet Lucas O'Brien. This UTSA graduate student excels on and off the basketball court.

Born in South Dakota, O'Brien grew up in a military family and moved around a lot when he was younger. After his dad retired from the military, his family settled in Arizona and he began playing basketball for the fun of it.

By high school, O'Brien was standing at 6'10" and knew he had a future in basketball. He explored the opportunity to play for various college teams. After an official visit to UTSA during his senior year of high school, he knew he was meant to be a Roadrunner.

"UTSA was definitely the best fit for me. I could just see myself here long-term," said O'Brien.

Although O'Brien had his sights set on playing for UTSA, things weren't always easy. Shortly after moving to San Antonio, the basketball star was diagnosed with a heart condition. It sidelined him for the entire 2012-2013 season.

But O'Brien was determined to finish what he started, and he was committed to staying at UTSA no matter what life threw at him.

"Over the years, I've learned how to trust the process and find my purpose."

After a few surgeries and months of recovery, O'Brien re-joined the 'Runners stronger than ever.

He completed his bachelor's degree in May 2016 and is currently working on his M.B.A.

Over the last few years, the student-athlete has learned to balance his education with basketball. He's also balancing wedding planning. He'll marry UTSA alumna Kylie Schott in May.

O'Brien credits Director of Athletics Lynn Hickey for serving as an influential mentor and support system during his years at UTSA.

"She is one of my biggest mentors. She has been there for me on and off the court, especially during my time in the hospital when I was dealing with my heart condition."

On track to graduate with his master's degree in December, O'Brien is ready to enter the workforce. He's planning a career in business.

In the short time he has remaining at UTSA, he wants to win more games with the basketball team. More importantly, he wants to leave a longstanding impact on the program and his teammates.

"UTSA has had a huge impact on my life," he said. "The ripples that UTSA has created for me… from the relationships to the opportunities to my education, I can't thank UTSA enough for all that it has given me."

He wants future Roadrunners to know that UTSA is unique and unlike any other university out there.

"You're not just a number here. This university has heart and a genuine family feeling that other places don't have," said O'Brien. "I will always cherish my time here. If it wasn't for UTSA, I wouldn't be where I am today."

- Erika Bruno

-------------------------------

Do you know a Roadrunner who is achieving great things? Email us at social@utsa.edu so that we may consider your suggestion for our next installment of Meet a Roadrunner.

Connect with UTSA online at Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram and LinkedIn.

Events

Thursday, May 15, 6:00 p.m.

Doctoral Conferral Ceremony

Join the doctoral candidates for the Doctoral Conferreal Ceremony and celebrate their accomplishments.

Arts Building Recital Hall, Main Campus

Sunday, May 18, 10:00 a.m.

UTSA Commencement Ceremony One

Celebrate the graduates from the Carlos Alvarez College of Business, College of Education and Human Development, Margie and Bill Klesse College of Engineering and Integrated Design and University College.

Alamodome

Sunday, May 18, 5:30 p.m.

UTSA Commencement Ceremony Two

Celebrate the graduates from the College for Health, Community and Policy, College of Liberal and Fine Arts and College of Sciences.

Alamodome

Submit an Event

Spotlight

UTSA’s Mission

The University of Texas at San Antonio is dedicated to the advancement of knowledge through research and discovery, teaching and learning, community engagement and public service. As an institution of access and excellence, UTSA embraces multicultural traditions and serves as a center for intellectual and creative resources as well as a catalyst for socioeconomic development and the commercialization of intellectual property - for Texas, the nation and the world.

UTSA’s Vision

To be a premier public research university, providing access to educational excellence and preparing citizen leaders for the global environment.

UTSA’s Core Values

We encourage an environment of dialogue and discovery, where integrity, excellence, inclusiveness, respect, collaboration and innovation are fostered.

UTSA’S Destinations

UTSA is a proud Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) as designated by the U.S. Department of Education .

Our Commitment to Inclusivity

The University of Texas at San Antonio, a Hispanic Serving Institution situated in a global city that has been a crossroads of peoples and cultures for centuries, values diversity and inclusion in all aspects of university life. As an institution expressly founded to advance the education of Mexican Americans and other underserved communities, our university is committed to promoting access for all. UTSA, a premier public research university, fosters academic excellence through a community of dialogue, discovery and innovation that embraces the uniqueness of each voice.