Junior Katie Shanahan is the latest Sachem athlete to verbally commit to play college lacrosse. She’ll take her talents to Division I Hofstra University.
Shanahan, who plays at Sachem East, plans to study business and chose Hofstra for its skilled athletic program and also its proximity to New York City, which will offer her a tremendous amount of internship and job opportunities. She was also considering Ohio State, Columbia, Marquette and Dartmouth.
“Hofstra was able to provide me with a great coaching staff, a great education and not being too far from home so my family can come visit and be able to see me play,” she said.
What’s more is the Shanahan-Hofstra legacy and tradition she’ll continue. Her Uncle Doug is one of the most famed two-sport athletes in university history. His No. 26 men’s lacrosse number is retired both at Hofstra and Sachem and hangs on the side of Margiotta Hall at Shuart Stadium in Hempstead, N.Y. He was the inaugural winner of the Tewaaraton Trophy, presented to the top college lacrosse player in the country, played for Team USA and spent some time with the New York Jets in training camp as a defensive back.
Her other Uncle Patrick also played football at Hofstra and sported No. 26. Undoubtedly, Shanahan too will look to wear the family number in college as she does now at Sachem.
“It’s a very special number because my father and all my uncles wore it,” said Shanahan, who was also born on March 26.
Shanahan will get a chance to play for Hofstra coach Shannon Smith, a Long Island native, former Tewaaraton Trophy winner and one of the prized up-and-coming head coaches in the nation.
“She’s a great coach and I know she will help me develop into an even stronger player,” she said.
An integral member of Sachem East’s field hockey team that won its third straight Long Island championship and won two of the last three state titles, Shanahan still has two full seasons of varsity lacrosse left in high school, plus another year left on the field hockey surface.
“It feels great knowing that I don’t have to worry about college anymore and it’s a big weight off my shoulders, now I can focus on school and sports at Sachem,” she said. “For this spring I am looking to go far in the playoffs since we have a lot of returning players and I hope to continue to work on my knowledge of the game and keep working on my skills.”
Heading into her senior year she hopes to help her team continue the tradition for Sachem East field hockey and to help start one for Sachem East girl’s lacrosse.
“I want to enjoy my senior year at Sachem East playing lacrosse and field hockey, creating memories with my team that I will remember forever.”
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-Words by Chris R. Vaccaro