WPIAL Alum Q&A – Clint McElheny

By: HSSN Staff
Monday, September 21, 2015 | 4:01 PM

The latest installment of WPIAL Alum Q&A focuses on former Shaler Area High School and current Seton Hill University soccer player Clint McElheny.

McElheny was a 2013 graduate of Shaler Area High School, where he was a standout on the pitch for the Titans. In high school, he was a three-year varsity letterwinner and earned all-section honors.

While his playing accolades in high school were impressive, perhaps McElheny’s greatest accomplishment during his time at Shaler Area was earning a full-tuition scholarship.

In the spring of his senior year, McElheny was awarded the Seton Scholars award, given to incoming freshman who excel academically and submit a letter of recommendation and essay on why they will succeed at the university.

As a member of the Seton Hill Griffins, McElheny started 13 games as a defender during his freshman campaign. Last season, he started all 21 games, and played the second-most minutes on the team. The Griffins enjoyed a successful season, finishing 12-7-2, good for third place in the conference.

Although the team is off to a slower start in 2015, with a mark of 2-4-1, McElheny again has been a stalwart on the back line, starting all seven matches.

Clint stepped away from the field and the classroom to reply to some questions focusing on aspects of his athletic and personal life.

Q: What is your greatest strength as a player?

A: I would have to say that my biggest strength is my knowledge of the game. I am not the most technical player, but I use my knowledge so I can be in the right places to make a play.

Q: What was the biggest transition from high school to college soccer?

A: The hardest transition from high school into college soccer would be the pace of the game. The high school game is much slower because not everyone is at the same skill level. At college, everyone knows what to do and can do it efficiently, making the pace of the game a lot quicker.

Q: Do you still have a chance to follow Shaler’s team or talk to the coaching staff?

A: Unfortunately, because of the turnover rate of Shaler coaches, I am no longer in contact with the team or coaches. However, the summer after my freshman year of college, I was able to go back and help out the team with their summer workouts.

Q: What is a typical week like for you during the season?

A: Well almost everyday that we do not have a game we practice from 4-6. Other than that, we have games about 2-3 times a week. I have class everyday before practice with one night class after practice. 

Q: What is the best part of attending Seton Hill?

A: I’d have to say the criminal justice program. We are the only CJ program in the country to focus on Restorative Justice, which is the new and innovative way of sentencing within the system. I believe this will give me an edge after graduation.

Q: Do you follow professional soccer, and if so, who is your favorite team or player?

A: I do follow professional soccer, in particular the English Premier League. My favorite team is Arsenal.

Q: What is the top personal soccer moment in your career, at any level?

A: Being captain my sophomore year here at Seton Hill has to be my top accomplishment.

Q: What was the best advice you received as an incoming freshman?

A: Don’t get discouraged if you can’t get used to the newer, faster game. Just keep playing because it comes to you eventually.

Q: Do you have any hobbies during offseason?

A: Normally in the offseason I work and workout for the upcoming season. In the winter I enjoy playing pond hockey with my friends.

Q: What was the most recent movie you saw in theaters?

A: Straight Outta Compton

Q: What is your favorite movie ever?

A: Lone Survivor or American Sniper. Those both were very good movies.

Q: Do you or any teammates have good goal celebrations? And do you practice it beforehand?

A: I’m a defender so it’s rare when I score. Usually the adrenaline just takes over.