Going to Montgomery County Community 大学 was not part of 加文·麦克洛斯基’s initial 大学计划. He was playing soccer at King’s 大学 in 2019 when he turned the wrong way and “tweaked” his back, requiring surgery and time to recuperate.

Suddenly that wrong turn lined McCloskey, of Gilbertsville, up for a new educational path as studying closer to home became a priority. When the lifelong soccer player returned to college in fall 2020, it was to virtual studies at Montgomery County Community 大学.

It helped that McCloskey had friends on the 大学’s 男子足球 团队. He, 太, wanted to be a Mustang.

“I know education is first,” he said, adding that he was eager to join the “good group 的家伙.”

His mother, Lauren McCloskey said the family was not sure what was in store for 加文 following his injury. Montco’s online classes helped him recover and gradually get back into the rigors of college life.

“It was a learning and growing experience,” she said. “Montco allowed him to develop, to become a leader, and to do things at the pace he needed.”

加文 served as captain for both seasons as a Mustang.

“加文 was a uniter of the 团队. He never got angry,” his mother said. ”他知道, ‘I can do my part, I can support the 团队.’”

他称赞教练 汤姆·哈尼助理教练 金种抑制性体育总监 凯利邓巴, as well as the rest of the soccer staff with setting up the 团队 for success. 加文 noted Coach Haney’s ability to build “an extremely diverse 团队” with players from “everywhere around the world you could think of,” including South Korea, Nigeria, Ghana, and Afghanistan.

“I don’t know how coach does it,” 加文 said. “He finds a way and it’s amazing.”

As 团队 captain, 加文 worked to ensure that the minor on-field bickering did not progress off the field.

“Everyone got along,” he said. “We would have deep talks on the bus … It was definitely more than academics and playing soccer. It was getting to know the guys on the 团队.”

加文, who graduated from Montco in May with a Business Administration degree, had transferred to Lock Haven University for the spring 2023 semester. 一个 of his contacts from Montco helped 加文 get recruited to play for Lock Haven’s men’s 足球队. He plans to finish his Business Administration degree at Lock Haven and further his education with a master’s degree.

He credits Montgomery County Community 大学 professors with paving the way for his academic growth.

“Professors are very flexible and knowledgeable,” he said. “You have to put yourself out there and answer questions in class.”

加文 also enjoyed hearing 团队 lectures on mental health and sports health from Montco Psychology Associate Professor, Dr. 史蒂夫男爵.

“He’s a great guy,” 加文 said.

With his days on the 蓝铃校园 behind him, the soccer enthusiast makes strides to stay connected with his Montco 足球队 and wishes the best for the future Mustangs.

“I hope there’s good leadership that follows,” he said. “I hope the program continues 做得更好.”

After all, “it’s about being better than the previous day.”