Chartiers Valley senior to play tight end at Army
Daniel McGeough will play tight end at the United State Military Academy
Daniel McGeough committed to play football at Army. The senior also excels in wrestling and track at Chartiers Valley High School.
Daniel McGeough
For as long as he can remember, Daniel McGeough has strived to be all that he can be. Hence, it’s only fitting that he has committed to a college that espouses that philosophy.
The Chartiers Valley senior will continue his athletic career at the United States Military Academy at West Point, where he will play tight end for the Black Knights.
“At Army,” McGeough began, “I believe I can reach my maximum potential.”
Ever since he was old enough to hold a football, McGeough has maximized his potential in the athletic arena. He’s not too shabby in the classroom, either, pulling down a 4.64 GPA and being an active member in the National Honor Society, his church and his community. He volunteers as a counselor for Vacation Bible School and for the Rennerdale Fire Department’s Walk the Caring Day.
“Dan’s your All-American kid that everyone hopes their kid grows up to be. A three-sport athlete. Great student. Great person,” CV wrestling coach Billy Evans said. “The kid is going to invent something, cure something, discover something…he’s going to do something amazing one day.”
To date, McGeough already has done astonishing things.
Athletically, he follows in his father’s footsteps. Patrick McGeough was a three-sport standout while growing up in Wisconsin. He earned a track scholarship to Western Michigan, where he threw the shot put. His older brother, Alex, competed in football, wrestling and track in high school, too.
Individually, the youngest McGeough is an all-conference performer on the gridiron as a tight end and defensive end. Currently, he is working on his third appearance in the WPIAL wrestling tournament. He, also, hopes to become a three-time WPIAL qualifier in track this spring. Already he has topped 47 feet, 4 inches for the shot put and 138 feet, 11 inches in the discus.
“I like to succeed,” McGeough said. “I hate when I fail. I do what I need to do to win. Practice more. Focus on technique. Don’t stop until I reach my goal.”
From dawn to dusk, indeed, McGeough goes nonstop.
The 17-year-old son of Janet McGeough rises at 5:30 a.m., so he thinks 4:30 a.m. wake-up calls at the academy “won’t be difficult.” After a quick all-body workout, a bottle of water, hot shower and breakfast, McGeough starts school. After his classwork, he practices, competes, eats dinner, studies, goes to bed and starts all over again.
“I’m used to structure,” he said. “It makes me feel better. I feel strong.”
For the Black Knights, McGeough will be used as a run blocking tight end as opposed to a receiving target. That suits McGeough just fine.
“On offense, there is no better feeling than when a running back scores a touchdown off your block,” he said. “Knowing you contributed to that score is really gratifying.”
McGeough finds it extremely satisfying to knock larger linemen off their feet or take down heavyweights on the mat. Despite only weighing about 218 pounds, he wrestles for the Colts in the heavier weight class of 285.
“That’s a big difference and it’s a completely different style of wrestling. So it’s a change and you have to adapt. That’s prepared me for football, especially going to the next level, and handling players of different sizes. Physically and mentally it’s a challenge,” he said.
When he enters the academy, however, McGeough will be on equal footing with his fellow cadets. McGeough’s patriotism runs deep as both his grandfathers enlisted in the Army. Dave McCrea served in Vietnam and Allen McGeough served in the Korean Conflict.
“I wanted to do as they did,” McGeough said. “I’m proud to be an American. I’m proud to serve and give back what’s been given to me. I’m 100 percent happy to do it because I believe in fighting for our freedoms and keeping what we have here. I believe we all should do our part.”
When he dons his Army fatigues, as opposed to his football uniform, McGeough will be thinking of the flag and the country he will serve as he pursues his studies. Undecided regarding a major, he is leaning towards a business degree.
“I’m usually good at making my mind up quickly. Usually, I can look at a situation and make a good decision,” McGeough said with a laugh.
But regarding a career, he added, “I am always changing my mind and quick to find something else. I wanted to be an orthodontist. Then be a pilot. I’m still figuring it out. That is one reason I picked Army. I have two years to make up my mind but I may eventually still be in the military,” he said when asked what he would be doing in 15 years.
“So many things can happen, but I know that if I want to be the best, then I am going to do what I have to do to become the best. And while I know that there are flaws in this country, we want it to be perfect. So I am committed to that. The red, white and blue symbolizes freedom and all the things in this country that I have come to appreciate. Men and women have served before me to protect the freedoms I enjoy. Now it is time for me to do my part. I am proud and honored to serve.”
Throughout his life, sports have served McGeough well. Each discipline has complemented the other. He said that the stamina and strength he gains through football helps him on the mats, while wrestling helps his coordination and balance on the field. He is able to keep his center low and handle opponents in his stance better.
“You have to be quick out there and shoot,” he said.
Most importantly, sports have taught McGeough many life lessons that will serve him as he defends his country.
“My football coaches have instilled in me it’s all about the next play. You can make mistakes. You can screw up. Don’t dwell on it. Don’t let it affect the outcome of the game. Fix it and move on to the next play,” he said. “In life, you can have a bad day. Things may not be going your way. You can sit or sulk or you can look at the situation and how you can affect change and work on it and move on.”