Sean McMahon '96 Building a Culture of Championship at Fremont High School

Sean McMahon '96 Building a Culture of Championship at Fremont High School

Saturday, January 26, 2019

After coaching the children of dozens of Fremonters to cross country greatness during the past two decades, Sean McMahon '96 got to experience a special moment with his own son last fall. Fremont High won the Class A state boys cross country championship in October at the Kearney Country Club. It was the sixth title for the Tigers during McMahon's coaching tenure that began in the fall of 1997. 

During the championship medal ceremony, Sean's wife, Beth '99, who is also the team's assistant coach, put the gold medal around her son's neck.

"I don't have a ton of specific state meet memories, it is more about being around Beth and the guys," Sean McMahon said. "But this year does stand out. Those kids kind of felt like our kids because a lot of them have been to our house hanging out with Ross. But when I saw Beth and Ross hugging and she got to put the medal around his neck might've been one of my favorite moments."

Cross country has always had some family ties for McMahon. His father, the late Jim McMahon, was a successful cross country and track coach at Midland University. He had a positive impact on his son's professional career as an educator and coach.

"The biggest thing was that my dad loved his job," McMahon said. "I hear people complain about their job and I hear kids say that their mom or dad doesn't like their job, but my dad really loved his job. He loved going to work. I think his comment was that his dad had to have a hobby because he didn't like going to work. My dad said he never went to work a day in his life because he was able o find a hobby that he was able to make his job. He always loved going to work. I think without him intentionally doing it, that is what rubbed off on me the most."

Jim McMahon guided Midland to the 1989 women's indoor track national championship.

Read the entire story from the Fremont Tribune.