Academics, Athletics and Community Service are Liam McGrath’s Recipe for Success

Growing up in the shadows of Haverford College, Liam McGrath always believed his interactions with the institution's student-athletes helped form some of the best memories of his childhood. As a two-sport student-athlete at Carnegie Mellon, McGrath made it his goal to provide those opportunities for children in the Pittsburgh community as well.
    
A football standout as well as a member of the outdoor track and field program, McGrath launched a Field Day for local children in 2011. With the intent to engage kids with college athletes, McGrath has successfully administered three Field Days that have become hallmarks of Carnegie Mellon's Student-Athlete Advisory Council.
    
"I had some history working with kids at summer camps and when I was younger, my parents were very active trying to get me involved in sports," McGrath said. "I went to a lot of camps and clinics where college athletes were the counselors and it was cool. I didn't see any specific opportunities like that here and didn't see a reason why we couldn't move in that direction."
    
McGrath followed his passion to Carnegie Mellon's Leonard Gelfand Center for Service Learning and Outreach, where Assistant Vice Provost Judy Hallinen helped him lay the foundation for a successful community event. After the initial planning, McGrath reached out to the student-athlete community to gauge the interest level of his fellow Tartans. The response and participation rate was overwhelming.
    
"It's pretty cool that so many of our athletes have participated in the Field Day. I think it was a good time for them, as well as a great experience for the kids," McGrath said. "I think it's a good way to get the athletes out in the community and let people know how much we care."
    
A critical member of the football program that went 6-4 during the regular season and earned a berth in an ECAC Bowl Game, McGrath led the team with seven interceptions, tying a single-season school record. McGrath, who was injured his freshman year, will return next fall to use his final year of eligibility.
    
"I just really love football. It's always been a big part of my life and I'll never see this kind of competition again," McGrath said. "I had the opportunity to come back and I really wanted another shot at it."
    
Also a javelin thrower for the track and field program, McGrath has worked hard to manage his academic and athletic pursuits at Carnegie Mellon, as well as his work in the community.
    
"I played three sports in high school and I think part of it was being used to having a lot of my time taken up by athletics," McGrath said. "I've been forced to use my time better."
    
McGrath, who has roomed with fellow football and track standout Patrick Robinson for the past four years, has been a part of SAAC since his sophomore year.
    
"I really like Carnegie Mellon and it ended up being a good fit for me personally. I'm glad I went to a school where everyone is smart and the guys on the football team have other interests," McGrath said. "There are a lot of opportunities here and I wouldn't have had many of them at a smaller school."
    
A mathematics major with a minor in business, McGrath is interested in consulting work upon graduation from Carnegie Mellon next December. Regardless of his professional path, he is committed to continuing his work in the community, especially with children.
    
"I'd certainly like to stay involved with things like the Field Day. Depending on where I am with work, I will try to continue helping with it at Carnegie Mellon, or working to start something in a different community," McGrath said.
    
McGrath and the Carnegie Mellon football team will open the 2013 season on September 7 at Grove City.