University of Minnesota Athletics
Players Mentioned
285 lbs.
/ Wrestling
Chasing Professional Goals with Chase O'Connor
9/25/2019 12:59:00 PM | Wrestling
Gophers senior Chase O'Connor wakes up each morning and heads to his early morning class. From there he hits the mats at wrestling practice before heading upstairs at the Athlete's Village to staff the desk in the administration office. Then it's time for homework and recovery.
It's a busy schedule for the Kasson, Minnesota, native, who has been an administrative student intern for nearly two years now, but it's taught him a lot and has helped him see what his future career my hold.
"By working in the office I've created such great personal relationships with all of the senior staff and it's just going to help my future career doing these things," O'Connor said.
The sports management major dreams of one day climbing the ranks and becoming an Athletic Director himself. As a wrestler since his youth and now a member of a top-ranked program, O'Connor has seen firsthand how athletics have changed his life and he hopes to create those opportunities for future generations.
"Coming from the athletics side of things as an athlete myself I want to help student-athletes achieve their goals," O'Cconnor said. "I see that being possible by being an athletic director."
An upperweight at a program rich in history, O'Connor trains with some of the nation's best each day between battling fellow student-athletes as well as members of the Minnesota Storm RTC such as Tony Nelson and Hayden Zillmer. The physical and mental grind can be daunting at times, but the rigorous schedule has helped O'Connor grow and mature.
"My work ethic and getting work done on time is the biggest thing," O'Connor said. "I've learned how to help younger athletes come up the ranks showing them what to do and what not to do."
Set to graduate next spring, O'Connor will take what he's learned on the mat and behind the desk going forward in his next step.
After spending countless hours in the office responding to phone calls, working on various projects, and helping out wherever necessary, O'Connor has proven himself a valuable part of the administration staff.
"Chase is an energetic, hard worker who is clearly passionate about college athletics and his goals of working to enhance the student-athlete experience," administrator Tom McGinnis, who works with wrestling as well, said.
"He brings a great perspective not only as a student-athlete, but as a Minnesota native who cares about this state, city, and university. Chase has become a valuable part of our department and he'll certainly be missed when he graduates in the spring."
It's a busy schedule for the Kasson, Minnesota, native, who has been an administrative student intern for nearly two years now, but it's taught him a lot and has helped him see what his future career my hold.
"By working in the office I've created such great personal relationships with all of the senior staff and it's just going to help my future career doing these things," O'Connor said.
The sports management major dreams of one day climbing the ranks and becoming an Athletic Director himself. As a wrestler since his youth and now a member of a top-ranked program, O'Connor has seen firsthand how athletics have changed his life and he hopes to create those opportunities for future generations.
"Coming from the athletics side of things as an athlete myself I want to help student-athletes achieve their goals," O'Cconnor said. "I see that being possible by being an athletic director."
An upperweight at a program rich in history, O'Connor trains with some of the nation's best each day between battling fellow student-athletes as well as members of the Minnesota Storm RTC such as Tony Nelson and Hayden Zillmer. The physical and mental grind can be daunting at times, but the rigorous schedule has helped O'Connor grow and mature.
"My work ethic and getting work done on time is the biggest thing," O'Connor said. "I've learned how to help younger athletes come up the ranks showing them what to do and what not to do."
Set to graduate next spring, O'Connor will take what he's learned on the mat and behind the desk going forward in his next step.
After spending countless hours in the office responding to phone calls, working on various projects, and helping out wherever necessary, O'Connor has proven himself a valuable part of the administration staff.
"Chase is an energetic, hard worker who is clearly passionate about college athletics and his goals of working to enhance the student-athlete experience," administrator Tom McGinnis, who works with wrestling as well, said.
"He brings a great perspective not only as a student-athlete, but as a Minnesota native who cares about this state, city, and university. Chase has become a valuable part of our department and he'll certainly be missed when he graduates in the spring."
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