University of San Francisco Athletics

John O’Marie was born on March 3, 1907, in San Francisco, and attended Saint Ignatius College Preparatory. He attended the then Saint Ignatius College in the class of 1930, during its transition to USF that year. USF Head Football Coach Jimmy Needles played him as a roving center and as a guard to take advantage of his ability to hold the line. O’Marie was regarded by Needles as an outstanding player due to his consistency and his knowledge of the game.
 
In his last football season, the Ignatian stated: “For four long years, Saint Ignatius College has been favored with the presence of a man, an athlete, a student, a good sport, and an all-around splendid fellow all rolled into one. Not only has this man been loyal to everything vaguely suggesting Ignatian Heights, but in addition, has been one of the mainstays of the Grey Fog team.” O’Marie also was a great pivot man in basketball, and threw discus for the track team. He was twice honored with the Boyle Loyalty Award. He was also chosen for the All-Time All-Star Team in 1930.
 
O’Marie worked as a Supervisor on the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir project following graduation, and then returned to USF as a Freshman Basketball and Football Coach. He later became Assistant Football Coach to Jimmy Needles. He also coached at Saint Ignatius College Preparatory, worked for the San Francisco Water Department, and as a Supervisor for the Peninsula Water District.