WILMINGTON, N.C. – For many student-athletes across the nation, academic and athletic responsibilities require an extraordinary amount of focus, dedication, and sacrifice during their college experience.
The moment they sign their letters of intent, student-athletes must meet the highest standards set by administration, coaches, teammates, and many more at their respective campuses.
Taylor O'Brien, a current senior on the UNCW women's soccer team, has exceeded those expectations from the moment she stepped on campus as a freshman in 2022.
In the classroom, O'Brien has maintained an overall grade-point average of 3.662 and has been selected to the dean's list three times, consistently representing the Coastal Athletic Association's Academic Honor Roll.
O'Brien is set to graduate next spring with her Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science with a minor in Biology. She plans to pursue a career as a physical therapist.
On the soccer field, she has served as one of the team captains for two seasons and is a consistent contributor on defense, having played over 2,300 minutes during her career while tallying three goals and two assists.
However, community service, an aspect of the student-athlete experience that might not be as appreciated as other aspects, has been the most rewarding part of the student-athlete experience for O'Brien.
O'Brien, a native of Edmonds, Washington (about a half-hour away from Seattle), didn't know a single person when she moved to Wilmington in the fall of 2022, but knew she wanted to get involved in the community.
"Community service was always a big part of my life throughout high school," O'Brien said. "My parents, Denise and Kevin, always taught me the importance of giving back, and I knew it was a great way to get involved and meet people in my new community."
Chris Neal, a Wilmington native and 1995 graduate of UNCW, prioritizes community service initiatives as the head coach of the UNCW women's soccer program, and O'Brien has been at the forefront of every step of the way.
Last season at The Sammy's, the annual awards show for UNCW Athletics in the spring, the women's soccer program won the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) Spirit and Pride Award, with O'Brien leading the way.
The Spirit and Pride Award is voted on and given out by SAAC to the team that exemplifies the most Seahawk spirit as demonstrated by their commitment to community service, their presence at athletic department events, and their positive contribution to the athletic community.
As a community service coordinator on the SAAC board, O'Brien has experienced the joy that is associated with sports through community engagement initiatives as a student-athlete.
Earlier today (Aug. 26, 2025), Allstate and the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) announced the inaugural 2025-26 Allstate NACDA Good Works Team (Fall), recognizing 20 student-athletes for their dedication to leadership, service and community impact. O'Brien was one of 10 female student-athletes nationwide, across all three NCAA divisions, to earn the prestigious honor.
I'm so grateful to be part of the Goodworks Team this fall and to share in the importance of giving back through community service," O'Brien said. "A huge thank you to everyone in UNCW Athletics for giving me the support and encouragement that have shaped my service journey. I look forward to continuing my commitment to service and carrying on the mission of the Goodworks Team."
The Allstate NACDA Good Works Team was established in 2024 to recognize male and female student-athletes across all collegiate sports and divisions for their leadership in community service, academics and athletics. Building on the legacy of the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team®, which has honored college football players since 1992, this expanded initiative highlights the impact of student-athletes who go beyond the game to serve others (Allstate/NACDA).
"We are incredibly proud of Taylor for this achievement," said Michael Oblinger, Director of Athletics for UNCW. "This honor reflects not only her excellence on the field, but her unwavering commitment to service, leadership, and making a meaningful impact in the community. Taylor is a leader on and off the field, and her getting this recognition is well deserved."
When asked about O'Brien's character and her receiving the recognition, her head coach provided the highest praise possible.
"We are so proud of Taylor. She is truly an incredible young woman and student-athlete. Taylor is a natural-born leader who throws her entire heart into everything she does," Neal said. "Our entire women's soccer team is so happy for her to receive this prestigious honor. She is an incredible example of the Seahawk spirit."
"I am so proud of Taylor for earning this national recognition as a member of the NACDA Allstate Good Works Team," said Jaime Mangold, the Student-Athlete Development Program Director at UNCW. "Throughout her time at UNCW, she has developed into an incredible student-athlete leader both on and off the field. Taylor sets an amazing example for all UNCW student-athletes and shows the incredible impact that we can all have on our community through service initiatives."
An advocate for children with autism and other special needs, O'Brien sees the importance and impact of inclusion. She has helped organize and work events with organizations such as Harry's Game, Miracle League, and Surfers Healing.
"So many of these people support us at all of our matches, and it's really cool to be able to give back and support their organizations," O'Brien said. "It is so rewarding to see recognizable faces and the connections that I've made at these events throughout my time as a student-athlete at UNCW."
Harry's Game is a charity men's soccer friendly that promotes inclusion and acceptance for children with special needs. The game is named after current UNCW men's soccer head coach Aidan Heaney's son, Harry, who was born with Down Syndrome. 
Harry's Game sheds the stigma of limiting a child's amount of fun and interaction with others, since they may need a unique kind of help. Harry's Game showcases that any child's personality and joy exist beyond any obstacles they may face in dealing with a disability.
"Taylor was always the first UNCW women's soccer player to offer to help with our spring clinics for special needs kids, culminating in Harry's Game," Heaney said. "She was a star and dove right in! You could see her passion for our project, and her genuine love and affection for the young boys and girls we work with in our community."
"This has been a life-changing experience not only for the participants but also for the volunteers, and I've made memories and connections to last a lifetime," O'Brien said. "The joy and competitiveness that these children and adults exhibit are unmatched. I am grateful to make an impact by serving at Harry's Game."
O'Brien has also organized groups of student-athletes through SAAC to come volunteer with her at the Wilmington Miracle League through ACCESS of Wilmington.
ACCESS of Wilmington is a nonprofit organization that operates six programs eliminating barriers to health and wellness through sports, recreation, and fitness for those in the community with disabilities.
O'Brien took the lead by mobilizing groups of student-athletes to volunteer with her at Miracle League events, which is an accessible baseball league filled with joy, dancing, and home runs for children and adults living with disabilities.
"Although I never grew up playing baseball, seeing their faces light up when they hit the ball or made a catch was truly special," O'Brien said. "As Division I athletes, we often put pressure on ourselves to perform at the highest level, but personally connecting with the athletes at Miracle League reminded me that the true joy of sports comes from both community and inclusivity."
Each year, O'Brien and her teammates also work with Surfers Healing in Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina. The mission of Surfers Healing is to enrich the lives of people living with autism by exposing them to the unique experience of surfing.
O'Brien and her teammates ensure this event runs smoothly by setting up equipment and serving lunch. The most rewarding part of the event for her is standing on the shoreline and cheering on the smiling surfers as they leave the water.
"Being in my fourth year with Surfers Healing, I had the privilege of reconnecting with families I've met through past events like Harry's Game and Miracle League," O'Brien said. "One of the most rewarding moments this year was when a soccer player I knew asked me to cheer him on while surfing. Wilmington is such a special, tight-knit community, and sharing in the joy and competitive spirit of these athletes through sports has been truly life-changing."
When asked about her message to all current and future student-athletes, O'Brien wanted them to make the most out of their college experience.
"College is a short period of time," O'Brien said. "You only have four years, so if you could make the most of it by getting out in your community and serving, and making those connections while you're here, those connections will last a lifetime."
