Catching Up With Erin McDonnell
Year of Graduation: 1986
Major: Athletic Administration
Position Played: CF
Current City of Residence: East Rockaway, N.Y.
Current Job Title: Director of Operations for Conference Services, St. John’s University
Q: What has been your fondest memory of your time at St. John’s?
A: Wow, that’s a really tough question. I’ve been touched by so many amazing people and seen so many impressive changes and improvements at the University since I arrived on campus as a freshman in 1982. Once of my fondest memories is being a part of the design and construction of Red Storm Field and seeing the class of 2001 play their final home series on the field.
Q: What was your greatest accomplishment as an undergrad off the softball field?
A: Being selected as the student-athlete representative to the Board of Athletic Control in 1985-86.
Q: What does being a part of the St. John’s softball family mean to you?
A: It’s a privilege to be a part of the program. Having been a letter-winner during the early years of the program and seeing how far the program has come is very special and very rewarding.
Q: What did playing for St. John’s enable you to accomplish?
A: Some people don’t believe in fate, but I do. I was a walk-on to the team, earned a full scholarship and worked as a student worker in the Office of Athletics which somehow has led to a long career in the Office of Athletics and at the University.
Q: How did you get from graduation to where you are now?
A: The stars aligned. Twenty-three years spent in various roles as a fulltime administrator within Athletics and three years in my current role in operations in the Office of Conference Services.
Q: Who are some of the people in your life that you are most thankful for?
A: I am most thankful for my amazing family.
Q: If you could give one piece of advice to a graduating softball player, what would it be?
A: Give all you can on the field every day and you’ll have no regrets later in life knowing that you did your best for yourself and for your teammates.
Q: If you could give one piece of advice to an underclassman softball player, what would it be?
A: Engage in a course of study that will allow you to do what you love in your professional career.
The St. John’s softball team will be hosting a trio of events next weekend in honor of Alumni Reunion weekend.
- Friday, Oct. 11 – 100-Out Fundraiser (9 a.m. – Red Storm Field)
- Saturday, Oct. 12 – Alumni Game (2 p.m. – Red Storm Field)
- Sunday, Oct. 13 – Fall Softball Tournament
- vs. Manhattan (10 a.m. – Red Storm Field)
- vs. Long Island (12 p.m. – Red Storm Field)
For all the latest news on the St. John’s softball team, log on to RedStormSports.com and follow the team (@StJohnsSoftball) on Twitter. You can join the conversation with the hashtag, #SJUSB. If you would like to be added to the St. John’s softball mailing list, send an email to stjcommunications@stjohns.edu with the subject line “Softball Mailing List”.
