Today's student-athlete question and answer was with senior baseball pitcher Michael McDonough.  McDonough, a native of Columbiana, Ohio appeared in three games of the shortened 2020 season hurling 12 innings allowing 13 hits and fanning 13 batters.  Before arriving in Erie, McDonough made multiple college stops starting at The Ohio State University right out of Crestview High School, before heading to Sinclair Community Colllege and the University of Cincinnati.  At Crestview, he holds six school records in career strikeouts, season strikeouts, career wins, no-hitters, best season record and strikeouts in a game.  

Get to know Michael McDonough

Mercyhurst focused questions:
What made you choose Mercyhurst?  The nationally ranked baseball program and getting to play with guys from high school summer ball.  

What is your major and why did you choose it?  I am a Business and Human Studies major.

What is the best thing about being at Mercyhurst?  The best thing about being at Mercyhurst is getting to be around my teammates almost everyday.

What is your favorite sports memory so far at Mercyhurst?  Pitching for the first time in two years coming off of two elbow surgeries.

Do you have any pre or post game rituals?  Usually before the game I will not eat anything all day,  I survive on shakes to keep me going.  

Where do you hope to stop for a post-game meal?  I want to go to Chipotle.  

What is your team's focus heading into next season?  Our goal is to get better through working hard and ultimately making it back to the College World Series in North Carolina.  

Does being an athlete help you in the classroom?  If so why?  I would say it depends.  It is hard when we have to miss class occasionally due to travel but I think the motivation we have helps to push us in the classroom.   

Personal questions:
If you could be in any movie which role would you want to play and why?  I would want to play Spider-Man, because if I was able to swing myself from building to building that would be awesome.

Who is your favorite athlete (current or retired)?  My favorite athlete currently is Bryce Harper of the Philadelphia Phillies.  

What are some of your favorite ways to spend time outside of your sport?  I enjoy being around my family and friends mostly on downtime.  If I am able to I also like to go golfing as well.

Do you have any pets?   Yes, I have one dog named Jaden.

If you were able to see 20 years into the future what do you hope exists and why?  I hope we have total world peace.

What was something you liked as a child that you do not enjoy as much anymore?  I do not care to play video games as much anymore.

What is something unique and interesting about you that we should know?  I had two elbow surgeries in 2018.  

If you could go anywhere in the world for vacation where would it be and why?  I would go to Italy, because the pictures I have seen look beautiful and the food is to die for.

If you could swap lives with a celebrity for a week who would it be and why?  I would want to swap with any professional athlete, because I am interested to see how their lives work outside of their sport.  

If you could play another sport what would it be and why?  I would probably play basketball, because I used to play in high school and I have always love the sport.

What is your favorite family tradition?  Christmas Eve at my Nana's.  

If you could have one superpower what would it be and why?  I would want the power of flight, because of how quickly I could get from point A to B.

What was something you did not like as a child, but do now?  Turkey

Who is your biggest role model?  My biggest role model is my papa.  Before he passed, he taught me many life lessons that I still use today and will the rest of my life.  

What was your favorite game as a child?  My favorite game was the Madden video game franchise.  

Who are some of your favorite college or professional teams?  Professionally it is the Pittsburgh Pirates, Pittsburgh Steelers and Pittsburgh Penguins.  College I love Ohio State football.  

If you could have any band or solo act perform a private concert for you who would it be and why?  I would want Morgan Wallen to perform.  I listen to and like all of his songs so I would know everything he would be singing.  

What is your favorite sports memory so far at any level?  Grinding through the two years of rehab to be able to play.  I will never forget the moment.