Ohio University Soccer Reunion September 23-25, 2005

Dennis O'Rourke

What did you after Athens?
After graduation I married my best friend and number #1 soccer fan, Kathy. We were married in Deerfield, Ma and then moved to the New Jersey shore area, Absecon, where I was employed by Prudential. I was an administrative associate manager and Kathy started her teaching career. We lived there for 10 years enjoying the beach, playing tennis and just being active; no soccer. In 1982 we decided to move to New England and have been living in Deerfield, MA ever since. I'm in sales selling Pella windows dealing with architects and builders. It is a lot of fun and robust at the moment. Kathy is teaching second grade.

Family
We have 2 wonderful grown up kids now. Our daughter Kate who is now 25 is married to her junior high school sweetheart living in Boulder, Co. Kathy and I plan to visit them for the first time this November. She went to Skidmore College and then on to SUNY in Albany for her masters in social work. She has a gift as she is the director of substance abuse education for AIDS for the county of Boulder. Our son, Ryan (25), is currently in Baltimore working for a large construction firm in project management. He graduated from the University of Vermont, played varsity baseball. We went to Maryland for the first time last month to see him. Note: This past February I took Ryan and my son in law, Erik, to Athens and we visited many bars and toured the campus. Had a wonderful time especially since the basketball team had a home game and beat Bowling Green. Besides our kids we have also had with us for the past 6 years and hopefully 6 more, Jerrell. He is a Fresh Air Child from the Bronx, NY.
A close friend from college, Tom Butler, he was my roommate at OU for all 4 years died of lung cancer last year yet never smoked a day in his life. He ate all the right things, exercised, etc. Doctors believe he suffered from exposure to second hand smoke. Tom, his wife Nancy, Kathy and I visited OU about 6 years ago and loved every moment.

Career
I have been selling Pella windows for the past 23 years and have had a great time doing it. I spend my days in the Berkshires and other parts of western Massachusetts along with some time in southern Vermont. I deal with architects and builders and have seen some amazing construction sites. My wife, Kathy, has more energy than me, though, as she teaches 2nd grade and every year she is greeted by at least 15 to 17 seven year olds ready to go!

Additional education
Regarding additional education, I have spent most of my years after OU paying for the education of others; private high schools, colleges, grad schools and have enjoyed it as the results have been more than I could have imagined. I have taken courses here and there but do not have any additional letters to add to my OU experience at the moment. Kathy has earned her masters.

Recreation/hobbies (soccer?)
I have not played soccer since college. I did some coaching while our kids were young and helped start girls soccer at the local high school a few years back. For the most part my exercise is focused on tennis as I play with a group on Tuesday nights and play doubles with Kathy. I also go to the Y most mornings before work and get on a bike working up a good sweat.

Significant events
With respect to any significant events in our life, I guess our family's trip to Ireland this past summer comes to the top of the list. Kathy and I took our daughter, her husband and our son to Ireland for 2 weeks this past July. We did had a tremendous time. I would encourage anyone to make this journey. Having the ability to be with our kids was really all that mattered.

Contact information
Address: 11 Valley View Lane, South Deerfield MA 010373
Telephone: 413-665-7590
Email address: dkorourke@comcast.net

Dennis writes:
Sorry for the delay in responding to your emails but have enjoyed reading the bios and look forward to reading more as they come in. Mine is attached and hopefully gives a short summary of the life of a aging goalkeeper. I am sorry to say I will not be able to attend the gathering as I have other long term committments that particuluar weekend. I received a call from Gary Statham a couple of weeks ago and shared my dissappointment in not being able to go. I was fortunate to visit Athens this past February with my son and son in law and had a great time. Please share my regrets with Peter and hope you have a great time. If you have an opportunity to mail any photos of the reunion please do.
Thanks and take care.
Dennis