Hall of Fame
Dennis graduated from Hornell High School, class of 1967 and SUNY Geneseo, Class of 71. He was an elementary teacher at Alfred Almond Central School from 1972 to 2004. He began coaching swimming in 1973 and did so through 1984 and again in 2005. O’Brien’s teams were Section V Class C Boys Swimming champions in 1979, 1980 and 1984. He also coaches girls track in 1976 and then 1985 to 1994. Dennis also coached skiing from 1989 through 2000 and soccer in 1994 and 2004. As you can see, Dennis did wherever was needed to get the job done.
Dennis became the director of athletics for the Alfred-Almond CSD in 1990 and remained in that position through to his retirement in 2004.
Dennis O’Brien served Section V for over 20 years in any ways. He was the Section V Swimming Coordinator 1982-1983; Section V Assistant Ski Coordinator 1998 to 2014 and NYSPHSAA State Skiing Coordinator from 2001 to the present.
Dennis was Section V Athletic Council member from 2001- 2013 was a member on the NYSPHSAA Executive Committee from 2008 to 2013 as the swimming liaison.
Dennis also served as the Steuben County High Athletic Association VP from 2001-2008 and treasurer from 2003 to 2014.
Dennis has been recognized as the Steuben County Fenner-Nadeau Award Recipient in 2004 as well as being selected into the Alfred-Almond Sports Hall of Fame and Hornell High School Sports Hall of Fame.
Dennis has been married to his wife Lynda for 45 years and resides in Hornell. They have one daughter, Dr. Bridget O'Brien, an Assistant Professor of Medical Education at University of California-San Francisco.