Born and raised on the Pine Ridge Reservation in the heart of the East Ridge neighborhood, Kobey O’Rourke’s story is deeply rooted in community, culture, and family. A member of the Mahpiya Luta Thiyospaye and a 7th-generation direct descendant of Chief Red Cloud, he shares, “I have always been a part of it, it’s in my bloodline.”
Growing up alongside his four brothers in his mother’s household, Kobey credits his family for shaping who he is today. “I always wanted to be like my brothers. They showed me tough love, but it helped shape me. My mom did a great job raising us and putting a good head on our shoulders.”
Sports played a central role in Kobey’s upbringing. From a young age, he stayed active year-round in basketball, football, and baseball. “It kept me on a positive path,” he says. With guidance from early mentors like his first coach, Casey Means, and many other coaches, Kobey developed not only athletic skills but discipline and resilience.
Though he attended several schools growing up, between Pine Ridge, Wolf Creek, and Mahpiya Luta, his high school years at Mahpiya Luta provided a sense of stability and belonging. “I felt comfortable. My classmates and close friends were there, and that made all the difference.” Not to mention, his best friends transferred in the following years, which made it more memorable.
One of the most impactful relationships during his time at Mahpiya Luta was with Coach Christian McGhee. Kobey shares a memory, “When I was younger, I remember Christian from when he was playing basketball at Mahpiya Luta years back and Matt Rama who used to be the head coach for the boys’ basketball team. I knew he was a great, tough coach, and honestly, I was pretty scared coming up as a freshman (lol).” Initially intimidated by watching Matt Rama coach Christian, he was nervous, but he quickly found a mentor who believed in him. He mentions, “Christian was once in these kids’ shoes at Mahpiya Luta, went on to play college basketball, so he knows what it’s like.” That helped him persevere and continue working hard no matter what. He says it was a fun time with ups and downs, filled with battles, and a lot of time spent in the gym developing not only as a player, but a leader and good relative.
“He took a chance on me from day one,” Kobey recalls. Starting every game as a freshman on a senior-heavy team, Kobey rose to the challenge. Through dedication, long hours in the gym, and mentorship, he grew into a leader and achieved one of his goals, which was earning an All-State award for basketball. “Coach McGhee helped me become not just a better player, but a better person. He cared about us in the classroom, on the court, and in life.” This meaningful relationship carried on while Kobey was in college and even now as an adult navigating the real world, which is something he genuinely appreciates. While academics came with some challenges, especially writing, Kobey stayed motivated by his aspirations and family influences. Inspired by his older brother’s achievements, he aimed high and learned to adapt when plans changed.
Kobey states that Mahpiya Luta gave him a strong foundation, supportive teachers, preparation for college, sense of community, and cultural values that continue to guide him.After graduating, Kobey initially attended Fort Lewis College in Colorado before realizing he still wanted to play basketball. He then decided to transfer to Haskell Indian Nations University in Kansas to pursue his dream of playing college basketball. There, he earned a spot on the men’s basketball team and embraced the experience. Haskell was a special experience for him. Being surrounded by Native students from across the country created a strong sense of community. He graduated in 2021 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration, an accomplishment made even more meaningful during the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
After college, Kobey returned home to work at both Mahpiya Luta and Pine Ridge School, giving back to the same community that raised him. Today, he works for the Indian Health Service as a Billing Technician. He continues to grow professionally and academically, currently pursuing his Master of Business Administration at Louisiana State University Shreveport, with plans to graduate in December 2026. “I’m determined to finish. It will be a huge accomplishment for me.”
Additionally, Kobey has some words of encouragement: “I want to give a huge shout to my peers and others around that are finished or in the process of getting their bachelor’s or master’s degrees. I took some time off, but they gave me the motivation to get back out there and get back into school!”
Outside of work and school, Kobey enjoys staying active through hobbies like basketball, softball, and spending time with his puppy, Luka, who he describes as “a bundle of joy and a fan favorite everywhere we go.”
Looking ahead, Kobey’s goals are grounded and meaningful: “I just want to live life in a good way, be a good relative, and take care of what matters most. I also want to keep building my career and move into leadership roles.”
Alumni Wisdom
Reflecting on his journey, about 10 years ago now, Kobey offers simple but powerful advice: Don’t get too caught up in mainstream media. Focus on school, be a good student, and be coachable and the rest will fall into place. It’s okay to not have everything figured out, everyone moves at their own pace. Just don’t give up. Accomplish your goals – do it for yourself, your family, and your community.
And a meaningful phrase that has stayed with him over the years:
“If you put your mind to it, you can do it.”