MANSFIELD, MASS. - Becker College baseball player Michael McMahon (Canton, Mass.) has been tabbed the 2019-2020 New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) Male Senior-Student Athlete of the Year. The award recognizes athletic and academic successes, while also factoring in leadership and community service components, and is determined by a vote of the conference's Athletic Directors. 

McMahon started off his tenure at Becker by being awarded the 2016 Becker College Freshman of the Year, and he hasn't slowed down ever since. McMahon currently represents his institution and the NECC as a National Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) representative, a role that has given him the chance to travel and work side-by-side with peers and administrators throughout the NCAA. He was also recently appointed as the NCAA Division III SAAC Representative for the Committee on Sportsmanship and Ethical Conduct.

Becker Athletic Director Frank Millerick has watched McMahon's incredible growth first-hand. "In my 35 years in higher education I am not sure that I have come across a student-athlete as humble and genuine as Mike McMahon," Millerick said.  "I remember when he came on to campus as a first-year student, he appeared to be nervous, very quiet, and I remember saying to myself, 'I hope this kid doesn't get lost in the masses.'  Fast forward four years later and there is Mike on the floor at the NCAA Convention in Anaheim, California addressing thousands of college administrators, including President's and Athletic Directors – he certainly did not get lost in the masses."

That may be an understatement. McMahon recently graduated as one of the most decorated students in Becker's history.  He was awarded both the President's and Dean's Awards, the first student in Becker history to earn both accolades. The Dean's Award is the highest academic honor bestowed upon a graduate of Becker College, while the President's Award is presented to a graduating senior who has shown outstanding school spirit throughout his or her time at Becker. The sport management major also earned Becker's Senior Program Award, in which faculty selects students who show outstanding accomplishment in their respective programs.

The list of awards continues for the senior, as he was also presented with Becker's John J. Dorsey Scholar Athlete Award, which is awarded to a senior that has excelled both in the classroom and in the athletic arena. He has been inducted into Chi Alpha Sigma, the National College Athlete Honor Society, and has earned NECC All-Academic honors in each eligible semester. His numerous accolades also include Becker's Leadership Award, and the 2019 Mechanics Hall Collegiate Apprentice Award, amongst numerous others.

Becker's Associate Athletic Director Andrea Belis is in awe of McMahon's achievements. "I never could have imagined all he would accomplish in his time at Becker," she said. " I am not sure how he was able to accomplish all he did, but he never said no and did it all with a smile."  

With a 'never say no' attitude, McMahon also participated in a number of clubs and organizations during his time at Becker. Outside of serving as President of  SAAC, he is also a member of Becker's Campus Activities & Student Leadership (CASL) and a member of the Becker Business Club. Millerick views McMahon's campus involvement as one of his many shining achievements, saying "One attribute I like about Mike is that he has many friends outside of Becker student-athletes.  His presence is felt with the entire Becker community, and he is well respected by all.  We often talk on our campuses about inclusivity, and this is at the core of who Mike is as a man."

The outfielder has been equally valuable to the Hawks on the field. The two-time captain had a hot start to his senior campaign, leading the Hawks with a .429 average before the season was ended prematurely due to COVID-19. He earned NECC Del Malloy Sportsmanship honors, as well his second consecutive COSIDA Academic All-District First Team selection. His second selection was the first time in Becker program history an athlete has earned the distinction twice.

Becker head baseball coach Brian Kehew notes the effort that McMahon puts forth on the field carries over into other aspects of his life, as well. "In his time at Becker College, Michael has demonstrated what it truly means to be a student-athlete. He would often tell his peers that in college, as well as life, you get as much out as you put in. Guided by the belief that anything can be achieved through hard work, Michael gave his all for Becker College."  Kehew continued, "Over the past four years, his prestigious awards and recognitions are only outnumbered by the lives he has touched."

While McMahon has certainly impacted many through his community involvement,  perhaps closest to his heart is his work with the Special Olympics. Over his four-year contributions with Becker and NCAA SAAC, he has collaborated with Special Olympics athletes in five different states- Massachusetts, Connecticut, Orlando, Southern California, and Indiana.  McMahon organized and volunteered in Special Olympics events that were the recipient of 2019 and 2020 NCAA Monthly Special Olympics Spotlight Polls.

The sacrifices of McMahon's hard work aren't lost on Millerick. "To be as actively involved in campus life as Mike was does not come without a price tag.  He worked extremely long hours to achieve the success that he has attained," Millerick said.  "And the beauty of this, is that Mike is not in it for the recognition or fame – if he didn't win a single award or be asked to be the student speaker at commencement,  he would be as equally satisfied with what he has done because in the end it helped others.  Mike will certainly be missed by all on the Becker campus, and I personally will miss his presence, leadership and his positive outlook on life."

Belis echoes Millerick's sentiments. "His dedication and work ethic are second to none and will help him go far in whatever he decides to do. He left his mark on all he did and Becker is a better place because of it."

Not only is Becker is a better place, but so are the people McMahon has worked closely with over the past four years.  "It was inspiring to witness the impact Michael had on the Becker community," said Kehew. "He represented our college, as well as the NECC, with the utmost class and professionalism on a daily basis. We are all so proud of Michael and we can't wait to see what lies ahead."

Release Courtesy of NECC Communications