Where Are They Now? Paul McMahon
Theology Teacher & Campus Minister from 1997-2006
(Senior Ethics, Freshmen Religion, and Junior Religion)
Cross Country & Track Coach from 1997-2007
Favorite Saint Viator/Sacred Heart memory:
I moved to the USA in June 1997, got married in July 1997, and began teaching in August 1997. Everything was new to me in the first few years. I had never attended an American football game and in my first week at school in 1997, I went to the Saint Viator/Hersey game. It was Jarret Payton’s ’99 first game for Saint Viator and he started as quarterback as a junior Walter Payton, who I learned was a legend of the game. I sat on the roof of the coaching box to video him. The crowd was huge and the game was televised on ESPN! I later led the pep rallies with Pat Mahoney which were lots of fun. My coaching years with both the boys and girls cross country and track teams were very memorable. We had great pasta parties on Friday nights. Teaching the senior Ethics classes was challenging, but memorable. We had respectful and informed debates about important and real-life topics. Kairos retreats were awesome! Outdoor Adventure Club trips were also great fun. So many wonderful memories.
Impact teaching at Saint Viator/Sacred Heart had on you:
What made Saint Viator unique:
Former colleagues you stay in touch with:
Town you currently reside in:
What you are doing now:
Message for former colleagues and students:
Get in touch:
Back
(Senior Ethics, Freshmen Religion, and Junior Religion)
Cross Country & Track Coach from 1997-2007
Favorite Saint Viator/Sacred Heart memory:
I moved to the USA in June 1997, got married in July 1997, and began teaching in August 1997. Everything was new to me in the first few years. I had never attended an American football game and in my first week at school in 1997, I went to the Saint Viator/Hersey game. It was Jarret Payton’s ’99 first game for Saint Viator and he started as quarterback as a junior Walter Payton, who I learned was a legend of the game. I sat on the roof of the coaching box to video him. The crowd was huge and the game was televised on ESPN! I later led the pep rallies with Pat Mahoney which were lots of fun. My coaching years with both the boys and girls cross country and track teams were very memorable. We had great pasta parties on Friday nights. Teaching the senior Ethics classes was challenging, but memorable. We had respectful and informed debates about important and real-life topics. Kairos retreats were awesome! Outdoor Adventure Club trips were also great fun. So many wonderful memories.
Impact teaching at Saint Viator/Sacred Heart had on you:
I learned so much about the US culture and way of life at Saint Viator. I became a dad while teaching at Saint Viator in 2001 and again in 2003 and 2006. Saint Viator affected my family in such a positive way. I took my kids to football games, basketball games, Halloween events, etc. My faith life became very important to me, and the charism of Saint Viator resonated with me. Viator is Latin for “pilgrim” and I felt like a pilgrim in another country. I also became an American citizen while at Saint Viator. The people I encountered at Saint Viator inspired me. Quite a few staff died while I was there and this affected me deeply: Bob Artman, Linda Mayfield, Carl Cieslik, JoAnn Calzaretta, and Br. Bob Ruhl, CSV were a huge loss for our community in my time.
What made Saint Viator unique:
Excellence in all we did: Faith, academics, and sports were unique to me. I also loved our Lion mascot and school colours.
Former colleagues you stay in touch with:
Via social media, I keep in contact with dozens of ex-staff, coaches, and students who now have families of their own. Many ex-students now teach at Saint Viator.
Town you currently reside in:
Melbourne, Australia
What you are doing now:
Head of Sport and Physical Education at Scotch College in Melbourne. It’s like being an Athletic Director in US language while teaching a little.
Message for former colleagues and students:
#alwaysalion I’m old school with my hashtag and use it daily. Also, keep living the lessons we shared on Kairos and other retreats. Go Lions!
Get in touch:
Connect with Paul on Twitter at @dual_coach or by email at paul.mcmahon@live.com.
Saint Viator High School
Located in Arlington Heights, IL, Saint Viator High School is a private, co-ed, Catholic school for grades 9-12. Students benefit from a challenging academic program, fine and performing arts, competitive athletics, and a wide selection of extracurricular activities.