University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Getting to Know James McMahon
2/17/2015 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
This is a series on getting to know Southern Miss baseball players:
Q: Why do you choose the sport of baseball?
A: Growing up, I played baseball, football and basketball and then just football and baseball when I got to high school. I had some smaller offers to play football, but I thought with baseball I could play at a higher level in college. So I chose baseball.
Q: Who was your childhood idols?
A: I was a big (Atlanta) Braves fans. So basically that whole (team), with Glavine, Maddux, Smoltz, Chipper Jones, Andres Galarraga. That whole team because I watched them every night growing up.
Q: What drew you to the sport of football?
A: I played quarterback so I got to use my mind a lot. I liked the X and O's part of football. Baseball is real technical mechanics and a lot of mental toughness. With football you could use more strategy, you could say when you are playing, and I liked that part of the game.
Q: Why did you choose Southern Miss?
A: I am from Oak Grove and I grew up a Southern fan and came to games. I am glad that things happened the way that they did and glad I ended up at Southern Miss.
Q: How does it feel to already have graduated and still get a chance to play baseball (he got his degree this past December)?
A: It is really awesome, because I really do not have any worries school-wise. I have one more semester in which I get to play baseball one more time, before I have to hit the real world. So that is kind of neat.
Q: What do you want to once baseball is over?
A: Definitely something in the construction industry. I am not sure yet. I probably will have to move away to get some experience somewhere else. Then I am going to want to open something up on my own.
Q: What does it mean to wear the Black and Gold?
A: There is something special about it. The fan support we get. I have been here for five years and I have made all these great friends here. There is a bond that you can't find anywhere else whenever you put on the Black and Gold and in my case, baseball. It is just a special feeling.
Q: What do you like to do when you are not playing baseball?
A: Hanging out with friends. I have made a lot of great friends. Lately, we have been playing a bunch of board games at the apartment - Monopoly and Scattegories, I also like to play golf when the weather is good and any kind of hunting during the hunting season.
Q: What has it been like to play college baseball in your hometown?
A: It is real nice. I am from the other side of town, but over here you kind of feel like you are off (from home) because you are on a different side. But at the same time if you want to go home for a Sunday lunch, it is good to be able to do that. Plus, it is nice to be able to see all the familiar faces that you have grown up with. You still get to see folks that you have grown up with your entire life. I am home, so there is always been the comforting feeling knowing everyone around you.
