Senior Spotlight Series - Seamus McDonagh - Men's Volleyball

Senior Spotlight Series (SSS)

With the sudden end to the 2020 spring seasons due to the CoVID19 epidemic, the Emmanuel College Athletic Department wanted to take a moment to recognize members of the class of 2020 during the final semester of their senior season at Emmanuel College. The Senior Spotlight Series was a chance for our community as Saints to give each of these individuals the notoriety and recognition they all deserve while getting a little behind the scenes glimpse into their lives outside the uniform.

Participation in this series was optional and we're grateful to have heard from so many wonderful representatives from our senior class. While their careers at Emmanuel may be coming to a close, their lives as Saints are just beginning. 

Let's meet today's featured student-athlete!

NAME: Seamus McDonagh
HOMETOWN: Long Beach, N.Y.
MAJOR:  Sociology with a concentration in Criminology
SPORT: Men's Volleyball
SENIOR SUMMARY: Seamus served as a three-time team captain for the Men's Volleyball program and over his career played in 111 matches to rank eighth all-time while appearing in 374 sets to rank seventh in program history. He was a three-time GNAC All-Conference selection and ranks third all-time at Emmanuel in assists with 3,105 helpers. He also ranks ninth all-time in digs with 566 and 10^th in total blocks with 175. He appeared on the GNAC Weekly Honor Roll six times over his career and earned GNAC Rookie of the Week honors on 2/6/17 during his freshman campaign. He was named the team Unsung Hero in 2017, 2018 and 2019.

SSS Q&A

1)    What was your favorite memory related to your volleyball experience?

My grandma coming to my game for the first time.

2)    Favorite pre-game playlist song?

Territorial Pissing - Nirvana

3)    Proudest athletic accomplishment/achievement at Emmanuel?

Ranking second in the country among NCAA Division III Men's Volleyball players in assists following my junior season.

4)    What game/opponent did you always look forward to every season?

Lasell. Every time we played them it was a battle. Especially in the playoffs during my sophomore and junior years when we had to come back to win in five sets both matches. I also felt like I played my best against them because it always was a big match.

5)    Other than your own sport/team, what was your favorite EC athletic program to support and why?

The basketball teams, mainly because I played basketball and I know the game. This makes me louder and more supportive as a fan. That helps in basketball, getting the crowd into it which we definitely had a lot of fun doing.

6)    One thing you'll miss the most about being on the volleyball team at EC?

Hanging out with my teammates and playing competitive games.

7)    Tell us something most people probably don't know about you that relates to your sport.

I am interested in pursuing a professional career overseas.

8)    Give one shout out/thank you to someone who impacted your EC Athletic experience.

Shout out to my Momma! Without her, I wouldn't have even thought of playing volleyball.

9)    What are your post-grad plans?

The plan is to play professional volleyball overseas for as long as I can. Then, when I retire from volleyball, I would like to become a firefighter.

10)  Give some advice or words of wisdom to future Saints.

Enjoy every part of it!

Thank you, Seamus, for your commiment and dedication to Emmanuel College Athletics and the Men's Volleyball program! Check back in every Tuesday and Thursday for more content from the Senior Spotlight Series!

#AlwaysaSAINT #goECSaints #ECSeniorSpotlightSeries

If you'd like to be featured in the Senior Spotlight Series, please email the Department's Director of Athletic Communications (Dan Campagna) at campagnad@emmanuel.edu