Alumni Profile: Sean McKinney (2006) by Callie Osborn

McKinney enjoys opportunity to coach Mavericks (2006)

By Callie Osborn

Mesa State College’s baseball’s long legacy of a winning tradition is one so strong, that some people just can’t leave it behind, and others, just simply don’t want to leave something that is so much fun when you are always cast as winners.

That’s exactly what happened to Mesa State graduate Sean McKinney, who recently came back for “round two”. This time, he returns not as a student-athlete, but a coach.

“I am so lucky to be able to be a part of Mesa baseball again,” said McKinney. “I loved it then, and I love it now. I wouldn’t trade what I do for anything.”

McKinney graduated from Mesa in 2006 with a triple concentration in Mass Communication, and two Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference championships under his belt. He went on to serve as a graduate assistant at the University of Wyoming while completing a master’s degree, and then it was on to two years of head coaching for a high school in Laramie, Wyo.

McKinney headed back to Mesa State in 2009 to become an assistant to his former mentor, Chris Hanks.

Although McKinney wasn’t exactly sure about where life was taking him, but he always knew he wanted to be around sports. He used his Mass Comm skills while working in the Sports Information Department at University of Wyoming during grad school. When the opportunity arose to help coach at the collegiate level, he was not shy about accepting the challenge.

“Coach Hanks called and asked if I would like to assist him with coaching, and I told him I would be there tomorrow,” said McKinney with a light-hearted laugh.

McKinney said that he sometimes puts his Mass Communication skills to the test when dealing with the baseball players, both on and off the field, as well as being the recruiting coach for upcoming seasons.

Balancing college responsibilities and finding time to hang out with friends can sometimes be a handful, but McKinney’s plate was more than just crowded when he was a student himself. McKinney was a starting baseball player for Mavericks, as well as being the President of SAC, DJing at KMSA-FM radio station, and being the assistant editor of Mesa’s Horizon Magazine.

Throughout college McKinney obtained the nickname “Rook” and found a fond interest in rocks. As a senior, he decided to put everything together, and came up with his own radio show by the name of “Rockin’ with Rook.” He talked about concerts, played the music he wanted, and tried as best he could to “avoid being any annoying radio hosts who won’t shut up,” McKinney said.

College memories last a lifetime, and have a special place of nostalgia.

“I wish I could be a freshman all over again,” said McKinney. “I had a fantastic time at Mesa. I did what every college student does. I ‘hung out’ (at) friends’ houses and dorms, but mainly with my team. They became my home away from home. We found plenty of things to do around town. I will admit that our favorite time was night though. We pretty much just [messed] around a lot.”

Upon graduating, McKinney left Colorado to get a master’s degree in Mass Communication at the University of Wyoming. He says the skills he learned through the Mesa State Mass Comm program have always been invaluable to him.

“Mesa has a great Mass Communication Department. The teachers and the classes they offer and the best tools you could ask for. College is fun, and it’s supposed to be, but if you want to succeed outside of it, you need to get your hands in as many things as you can. Get involved,” said McKinney.

McKinney’s biggest piece of advice: Remember that the people you meet in this business are invaluable to you. “… You have to go meet them, though. Do as much as you can. Involve yourself as much as you can. Travel as much as you can. And, stay in contact with whom you meet. They will help you succeed in your journey later on.”

Sean was thrilled his senior year on a Mass Comm Sports Reporting class field trip to the Colorado Rockies. While in the press box, McKinney got to spend most of the game with two of his heroes, Tracy Ringolsby, former Denver Post’s Baseball Hall of Fame journalist, and Vin Scully, Los Angeles Dodgers’ famous announcer.

McKinney encourages students to pick the concentration that they enjoy the most, and pursue it without hesitation.

“You have the rest of your life to work,” said McKinney. “You better find something you love to do, and something you can see yourself loving everyday for the rest of your life.”

Sean welcomes former classmates and friends to contact him.