Creggs man talks life as a college athlete in America

A former Creggs rugby player is enjoying following his passion of playing American Football for the Boston College Eagles.

In a piece he wrote for the Aer Lingus Classic - College Football Diaries, Andy Quinn has described the preparation and dedication needed to compete for Boston College.

“A typical daily schedule includes a 6 am start for the special teams with Coach McGriff. This consists of live snappers and holders for punts and kicks. Then, into a full 90-minute gym training session with Coach Fitz and his team. We go for breakfast, then participate in field practice until 1 pm, followed by recovery and meetings.

“This is our daily schedule 6 days a week; we usually have a free day on Sunday. Our coaches require that our training sessions have 30% more intensity than a typical game would demand.” 

“Since I started as a mid-year student, the first exposure to the kind of pressure we can expect on game days next autumn came with Spring ball. Every Saturday for five weeks, our team has a practice scrimmage with official referees, crowds, and music in the indoor stadium to mimic a game-day atmosphere.

“Spring ball is an opportunity to highlight your talent to coaches in a pressurised environment. Like my experience attending the bowl game in December, preparation is key.” 

Despite the intense schedule and the need to perform well academically in order to pursue his sporting passion, the Finance student at Boston College feels that welcoming kids from a local special education school keeps things in perspective.

“A highlight of Spring Ball is welcoming the students from The Campus School at Boston College, a special education school that has many enthusiastic football fans. The school's visit was of enormous importance to me. My brother attends a special class in school in Ireland, where he was born with 22q Deletion Syndrome. I understand firsthand the challenges some of our campus school fans have overcome to walk, talk, and cheer on our team.” 

The kicker and punter believes he is meeting the demands placed upon him while he feels that he is a part of the Boston College community.

"As I return to Boston College, the emphasis is on preseason training, reaching peak fitness, maintaining consistency with my kicking, and focusing on the upcoming College Football season. I do feel at home in Boston, surrounded by such goodwill.

“With my first semester and spring ball complete. I no longer feel like a rugby convert to American football, thanks to my amazing coaches and teammates; I feel like a real part of something good happening as a Boston College Eagle.