O'Brian White's Acceptance Speech

M.A.C Hermann Trophy

Thank you very much. There are so many people who have contributed to my success as a student-athlete and I would like to acknowledge them and share this award with them tonight. Without their support, I would not be the player or student I am today.

First, I would like to thank my parents, my grandma, Maria and Vanessa for their love and support. Next I would like to thank my teammates for putting me in the position to make a difference on the field. I would like to thank our coaching staff, Coach Reid, Coach McDonough, Coach Deeley and Coaches Bacher, Bertsch and Brenner, for everything they have done to help me develop as a person and a player. I would like to thank Coach West, our strength coach, and Steph Milazzo, our trainer, for keeping me in the best possible condition.

I would like to thank Alissa our sports information director, for being here with me tonight and for all of her hard work promoting the team. I would like to thank Becky Taylor, my academic counselor, for keeping me motivated in the classroom throughout the year. I would like to thank Mr. Hathaway, our athletic director and Mr. McCarthy, our associate athletic director, for their support of the program and providing me with the opportunity to be a student-athlete at UConn.

Lastly, I would like to thank the Goal Patrol and all of the fans back in Connecticut who support the UConn soccer program. I am honored to have the opportunity to share this award and humbled to be among the great players who have come before me. Thank you to the Missouri Athletic Club for their part in tonight’s events- I wish you all a wonderful evening…Thank you.