St. John's University Athletics
Senior Spotlight Q&A With Midfielder Pat McClay
4/29/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Lacrosse
April 29, 2009
QUEENS, N.Y. - As the Class of 2009 enters its final week of play for St. John's, senior midfielder Pat McClay got together with classmate Matt Viscusi to answer some of Viscusi's questions on his lacrosse career, `McClayisms' and more, to help Red Storm fans get to know McClay better.
Teammates for almost four full seasons, this year's crop of seniors are a tight knit group who don't mind sharing some mid-season thoughts with Red Storm lacrosse fans or each other.
McClay has seen time in 32 games over the course of his career with St. John's. Primarily a midfielder, the Mahopac, N.Y., native additionally serves as a face-off specialist. He works hard both on and off the field to motivate his teammates.
He scored his first goal as a rookie in 2006 against Wagner on March 29. Last weekend at Fairfield, McClay won both draws at the face-off X. For his career, he's taken 11 face-offs, serving as back-up to fellow senior Dom DeNapoli and Red Storm alumni, Jack Rosson (2008).
According to head coach Jason Miller, McClay "works hard to contribute at both the face-off X and in the offensive end of the field. He's got the ability to score on the run."
Matt Viscusi: What is a `McClayism'?
Pat McClay: Sometimes I come up with these one-liners off the top of my head. I don't believe they are that funny, but the guys on the team get a pretty good laugh out of them. So, these became called `McClayisms' by a couple of the guys on the team and it stuck.
MV: What is your favorite `McClayism'?
PM: I would have to say my favorite `McClayism,' which is pretty commonly known, would be. "Even a blind dog finds a bone once in a while."
MV: What `McClayism' do you think is a fan favorite?
PM: I'm not really sure that there is a fan favorite. All of them seem to get the guys rolling.
MV: If you could take away one thing you have learned from the lacrosse team in the past four years what would that be?
PM: I have learned a lot as part of the lacrosse team. Being a part of the team is really important to me. It really has molded my character and has helped me in all aspects of life. At the same time, it has matured me into a young adult getting ready to step into the real world.
MV: What is it like living with your roommates?
PM: Dom [DeNapoli] and Trev [Trevor Michaelsen] are my roommates. I love those guys. "Good friends, good roommates, good times."
MV: What is your favorite quote you have heard from any coach in the past four years?
PM: Coach Miller, last year when he said to the ref, "the call was on the other side of the field you meatball."
MV: With your brother being a professional lacrosse player, how has he influenced you on and off the field?
PM: My brother Ryan is one of the best guys I know and one of the best players I know. On the field, he is a tremendous worker. No one out works him. I try to mold myself as a player after him. Off the field, he's an awesome brother and even better friend.
MV: Can you explain to all our fans how and why the Jets are better then the Giants, and the Mets are better then the Yankees.
PM: All I have to say is, "26 titles to your two; and three titles to your one. Numbers don't lie kid."
Next up, check back with RedStormSports.com on Thursday as Viscusi has his turn in the hot seat for the last Senior Spotlight of the season.
