Jim O’Donnell grew up in the Ascension parish of Kensington and played club soccer for the Lighthouse Nationals. O’Donnell was a 2 year varsity player for North. He played on the PCL & City Champion team of 1970 as a junior. As a senior Jim was named All-Catholic (1st Team) after the 1971 season.
He graduated NC in 1972 and went on to a distinguished college career at Lehigh University where he was named team Captain in his senior campaign in 1975. He also was selected to the All-Conference team after his senior year. Jim continued on as a youth coach with the Lighthouse Soccer club for many years.