Impact Of A Scholarship: Sam O'Brian

Sam O’Brian learned a life lesson that he applies to his everyday life during his wrestling career at the University of Maryland. 

Maryland’s Associate Head Coach, Nick Brascetta, frequently emphasized the importance of accumulating small wins. The expression signifies doing everything the right way. Once that becomes a habit, one can become successful in whatever they put their mind to through consistency.

“Through that discipline is where you'll find the best success,” O’Brian said. “That's one of my personal principles in the work that I do.” 

O’Brian is taking that lesson with him as he recently wrapped up his athletic career that spanned from 2021-25. The Damascus native is now pursuing a Master of Professional Studies (MPS) in Security and Terrorism Studies at Maryland and is seeking to continue stacking wins with the hopes of pursuing a career in government. 

He was one of 10 student-athletes awarded a M Club Rodman Scholarship to aid his endeavors. The $5,000 scholarship is awarded to former Maryland student-athletes who have demonstrated excellence in both athletics and academics during their time in College Park. 

O’Brian is a three-time Academic All-Big Ten selection (2023, 2024, 2025) and one of four selected who plans to further their education at Maryland. He will remain at the place he has always wanted to be. 

“My main goal the whole time was that if I got offered to Maryland, I would take that immediately, and that transpired,” O’Brian said. … “I always found the appeal in representing my state and school both athletically and academically.”

O’Brian earned a dual bachelor’s degree in English and German. He initially intended to attend law school, which led him to study English before doubling with German to fulfill a foreign language requirement.   

The former wrestler credits Maryland Made’s InTERPship program with guiding his interest in working in government and leading him down his postgraduate career path. Maryland Made created the academy to help student-athletes gain work experience in their desired industries.

O’Brian landed an internship with the IRS through his involvement. He worked as part of the project manager’s office in the Chief Operating Officer's office last summer, where he assisted in running their summer intern program. 

Another event that had a significant impact on him was a sit-down meeting he had with CIA agents this past fall. It was also made possible through his involvement with Maryland Made. 

“Both experiences sparked an interest in working with government agencies,” O’Brian said. “Working in teams doing important stuff, protecting national security, was really interesting. I just found the very profound and interesting, and it definitely sparked my interest much more.”

O’Brian highlighted the importance of the work as one of the most rewarding aspects of it. He views working in government as a career that enables him to have a positive impact on others.  

“I've always had an interest in not just doing something for money or personal advancement,” O’Brian said. “I've always wanted to do something to give back to the public, and specifically the highest level of national security, where I can get back to everyone through my work.”

Although O’Brian’s wrestling career is over, he fondly cherishes the brotherhood and camaraderie shared between him and his teammates. He says the friendships he made will last forever. 

As he takes the next step in his post-graduation journey, O’Brien expressed gratitude to the donors who made both his undergraduate athletic scholarship and post-graduate scholarship possible. 

“My main message to the donors is that we see the support you give, and we're all so grateful for it,” O’Brian said. “This is support that will be repaid in the future and given back. I know that in my future, I will stay in touch with Maryland Made and the M Club, and help give back in any way I can. There’s a sense of pride and honor knowing that I'm supporting what I want to do.”

About The M Club

The M Club was founded in 1923 as a letterwinner organization and is one of the oldest athletic letterwinner organizations in the United States. It has been dedicated for more than 100 years to empowering and uplifting University of Maryland student-athletes and letterwinners and continues to foster a growing community of Athletes Helping Athletes through the generosity of its members. Current support for Maryland Athletics includes awarding post-graduate scholarships, funding team reunions, providing letterjackets to graduates and hosting the bi-annual Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, among other areas.