SSHOF Friend of Sport Inductee – Joe O’Brien

A 1961 Griffin High School graduate, Joe O’Brien has dedicated over six decades to coaching and officiating in the Springfield sports community. A standout athlete in baseball and basketball, he made history by scoring the final varsity basketball points for Cathedral and the first varsity points for Griffin. Joe began officiating in 1963 while attending St. Louis University and has been a licensed Illinois High School Association official since 1990, working hundreds of games annually across baseball, softball, basketball, and volleyball.

In addition to officiating, Joe has had an impactful coaching career, leading the Lincoln Cab baseball team to five state championships and guiding his youth hockey teams to six Central Illinois League titles. He’s also been a major figure in Springfield youth sports, serving as a coach, official, and leader in multiple leagues. Joe’s contributions to local sports were recognized with his induction into the Springfield Youth Hockey Association Hall of Fame in 1996, and his work as a minority owner of the Springfield Capitals baseball team further cements his legacy.

---