KOB (as he is affectionately known) hails from Andover, MA. His interests include Southwestern food, reading, New England sports teams and fishing for big striped bass. [The Editors also think they saw KOB with a big striped bass in the Kong once!]
Fact File: Kevin O’Brien (OI)
Height: 6ft
Weight: 200 pounds
Eyes: Hazel (picks up the color of green clothes nicely)
Hair: Brown
Marital Status: Single two nights a week
Favorite Food: Ribs
Favorite Drink: Miller Light
Favorite Film: Weekend at Bernies II
Favorite Band: Lo Fidelity Allstars
Nickname: KOB
How Acquired Nickname: I’m not sure, some sharp people picked up that my initials were KOB!
Harbus: What HBS sports team do you play for?
Kevin O’Brien: The HBS rugby club and also the HBS ski team
Harbus: What position do you play in the rugby club?
KOB: I’m a flanker
Harbus: What does that involve?
KOB: I run round the field and hit people [Editors’ note: and that’s before
the game starts!]
Harbus: So you like hitting people?
KOB: Yeah, of course! After a three case day there’s nothing like hitting them hard.
Harbus: So what type of people do you like to hit? Not people smaller than you we hope?
KOB: Sweaty men.
Harbus: What is it about sweaty men that makes you want to hit them?
KOB: No comment.
Harbus: When did you start playing rugby? And why did you start playing it?
KOB: Spring 2004. I figured that after 10 years away from contact sports it was time to start again.
Harbus: What has been your best sporting moment?
KOB: Coming 5th place in the downhill at the junior skiing Olympics in New Hampshire.
Harbus: So is this affiliated with the real Olympics? Do they have the rings etc?
KOB: No rings I’m afraid. These Olympics are a US only thing [Editors’ note: reminds us of the baseball ‘World Series’ which includes only one country in the world.]
Harbus: And your worst?
KOB: Breaking my collar bone and separating my shoulder in lacrosse when in high school.
Harbus: How about your best moment off the field?
KOB: Threading the needle on the Hong Kong dance floor. [Editors’ note: this is a custom dance move; see attached picture.]
Harbus: And your worst?
KOB: Getting my shirt ripped off by a bunch of screaming girls in the Kong after performing the dancing act referenced earlier.
Harbus: Interesting. So what is the biggest challenge about being an athlete at HBS?
KOB: Managing all the fans.
Harbus: We hear that you’re into politics. What’s your stance on the current campaign?
KOB: No one has given me a strong reason to vote for Kerry. If his ability to run a political campaign is an indicator of how well he will run the country then he is not a good candidate.
Harbus: So you like Bush?
KOB: I’m not a Bush lover but you have to support your alumni!
Harbus: Interesting political insights. Do you have any advice for young athletes out there?
KOB: Set high goals. Play hard.
Harbus: On that note I think we’ll thank you for your time.
KOB: Alright, thank you. You guys are excellent interviewers.
