Michele O'Brien Inducted into FIU Athletics Hall of Fame

Michele O’Brien was inducted into the FIU Athletics Hall of Fame for her time with the women’s soccer team. She spent her entire collegiate career with the FIU Golden Panthers from 1998 to 2001, continuing to make history as the first women’s soccer player to be inducted into the FIU Hall of Fame. The 2026 athletics Hall of Fame class is just the third-ever induction class in the university’s history.

A baller in every sense of the word 🫡

Happy to welcome, @DPU_OBrien, one of the greatest women’s soccer players in FIU history into the FIU Athletics Hall of Fame‼️ pic.twitter.com/c7QvxgQa71

— FIU Athletics (@FIUAthletics) September 17, 2026

FIU Records

When you take a look at Michele’s resume, you might be reading for a while, as she is one of the most decorated athletes in FIU athletics history. She currently holds the all-time records for career goals scored (58) & total career points (134). During her junior and senior years, she was awarded the Sun Belt Player of the Year award. While also named to the First Team All-Sun Belt both years. Appearing in 74 games for FIU, she put up a university-high 288 career shot attempts and is currently second all-time in assists with 18.

Making History

In 2000, her impact was monumental as she scored 20 goals and 45 points her junior year. Michele helped lead the Golden Panthers to win the Sun Belt regular-season title. Eventually, hoisting up the Sun Belt Conference championship trophy by the year’s end. FIU went 3-0, taking down Louisiana, Denver, and North Texas. This season marked a huge moment in Sun Belt history, as it was the inaugural Sun Belt Women’s Soccer Tournament.

Not only did Michele win the Sun Belt player of the year, but she was also the first winner in Sun Belt and FIU history. A huge piece of history for both FIU and the Sun Belt Conference will now always include the name Michele O’Brien.

The following season, FIU missed out on the conference championship, but O’Brien still had a great season. She capped her FIU career in 2001 by winning her second consecutive Sun Belt Player of the Year award. Finishing her senior year scoring 13 goals, leading the conference with 83 shots, and earning her unanimous First-Team All-Sun Belt honors. Michele also went on to win the Presidential Academic Athletic Award medal, adding her to a long list of accolades.

Michele O’Brien Today

After her collegiate career ended, she went on to play for several clubs & earn a spot on the Republic of Ireland international team. In 2005, she was named the FAI Player of the Year. While wrapping up her playing career, she started to write her next chapter in coaching.

In 2009, she became an assistant for the DePaul Blue Demons, eventually landing the head coaching job in 2021. O’Brien currently still coaches the Blue Demons entering her fourth season with a 25-50-15 record.

Born with a rare heart condition, Michele was able to defy all odds and became one of the greatest success stories in FIU history. She has had plenty of wins throughout her spectacular career, with the most important win coming against life itself. A well-deserved honor for Michele O’Brien, whose legacy will now be forever etched in the FIU Athletics Hall of Fame.

(Visited 29 times, 1 visits today)