Athlete of the Month: Matthew McGinnity

Senior Matthew McGinnity recently earned third place at districts and advanced to the state level where he will represent Unionville against the best golfers in Pennsylvania.

Competing against the district’s top golfers, McGinnity delivered a strong performance under pressure to secure a qualifying spot for states. His finish reflects his expertise, practice, and discipline both on and off the field. His win, alongside balancing a hectic schedule of academics and athletics, exceeds Unionville’s standards of a student-athlete.

On the course, McGinnity describes golf as a mental sport “that requires your complete focus and patience,” where players need to concentrate for extended periods of time. On top of that, the sport can place immense pressure on a single shot, making tranquility crucial for performance. In all, golf requires “discipline and control over your mind.”

It’s no surprise that McGinnity also finds success in his student life, managing a balance between golf and academics. Between practices, tests, and games, concentration is vital for his success. In fact, he claims that Unionville has helped him find success by “teaching [him] the value of focus and a clear mind.”

McGinnity’s advice to younger student-athletes is to “stay disciplined when it gets hard. You need to be able to forget about what's happened and focus on what’s to come.”

With a third place finish at districts, McGinnity now has a chance to exemplify what it means to be a student-athlete on a bigger stage and carry Unionville to a victory. We wish him the best of luck at the next level!