Written By Megan Melone
Photography By McKendree Athletics and James Cronin
James or “Jimmy” Cronin is from Naperville, Illinois, and is a senior middle school education major focusing on social sciences. Jimmy is also the starting goalkeeper for the McKendree men’s water polo team. I interviewed Jimmy Cronin about his time at McKendree and future plans:
What’s your major and why’d you pick it?
CRONIN: My major is middle school social science. So, I’m gonna be a middle school history teacher. So, originally I came in, and I didn’t have a clue what I was doing, and I just kind of sat around. I ended up getting the Covid-19 year, so I got an extra year to kind of think about everything. Looking back at it, I thought, Who are the people that made the biggest impact in my life and that I admire the most? And it’s probably always been teachers. My family is filled with teachers, so it became an easy choice once I got there in the end.
What activities besides water polo are you involved in?
CRONIN: I am part of SAAC (Student Athlete Advisory Committee), and we work with the community around McKendree and the student population to involve all students in community events. For example, we’re putting on a kickball event, and we do charity donations, as well as helping Make a Wish. We try to make everything “one McKendree” at the end of the day.
Tell me about water polo.
CRONIN: Water polo has been my everything for the past 10 years. I started playing when I was 12 in small, backyard pools. I originally swam competitively, but looking at the bottom of the pool got boring so I wanted to spice it up a little bit. I’ve been playing at McKendree for five years. I’m the goalkeeper, so I just sit in one spot, and they throw balls at my face, and I block them. I love it.
What’s it like being the captain of the team?
CRONIN: It’s the best and hardest experience. To motivate the team during a rough patch is very difficult. But at the same time, having younger kids look up to you and ask you questions and being a leader in the pool is something I truly enjoy. I can help others and provide guidance because I’ve been here, I’ve done it. I know what to expect, and I know what to do and how to have fun with it.
So the water polo team travels all over the country.
CRONIN: Yeah, so McKendree water polo in general is very interesting. There are only 52 teams in the country, and we are one of six in the Division II league. There are 30 Division I schools, 6 Division II, and 10 to 12 Division III [schools]. There are only two schools in Illinois that play NCAA men’s water polo, and the closest away is four hours: Augustana College. We just got back from Erie, Pennsylvania, which is a quick nine-hour bus ride. Our average bus ride away is nine to 16 hours to go play usually Division I teams because there are very few Division II teams. We fly to California once or twice a year because more than 50 percent of the schools that play water polo are in California.
Do you like the travel?
CRONIN: It was definitely a big factor for me to come here. The bus rides take some time getting used to. On 13-hour bus rides you start losing your mind a little bit.
You’re from Naperville. Why did you come to Lebanon; is it different in southern Illinois?
CRONIN: Yeah it was definitely a lifestyle change. Coming out of high school, I knew that I wanted to play water polo, and I looked at schools all over the country as the sport is very spread out. But when it came down to it, this was the closest option to my home at the time. It gave me the opportunity to be far enough from my parents where they can’t come visit me every day, but at the same time if anything ever happened, I’m four hours away and I can drive right up. It was the perfect blend of home, yet still far away enough. My graduating class was a thousand, so the small class size was a big factor in me coming here. I love the small classes. My professors know my name, and I know everyone in my classes. I’m not just a number.
Are you planning to keep playing water polo after school?
CRONIN: It’s definitely a discussion I am gonna have to have with myself. Professional water polo is very small and only in Europe, so it’s an option that’s very intriguing, but at the same time it’s not the easiest thing to do in the world. And then there are grad school options where I can play club water polo, which is definitely an option that I would look into.
You’re a middle school history education major? Where do you plan to teach?
CRONIN: I just got my student teaching placement at Collinsville Middle School, so that’s very exciting. I’m there right now observing, but after that I don’t know if I want to go to grad school right away; I don’t know if I’m gonna go teach. I definitely want to coach water polo, but I have a lot of options.
Do you have any advice for other students?
CRONIN: My biggest tip of advice is to enjoy it. I [was] gifted an extra year, and I took it without ever thinking about it, and it’s been the best decision. You’re only in college for so long, and if you’re not enjoying it, then you gotta make those changes to enjoy it. It’s a super fun experience, and it’s something where if you just give it everything you have, you’ll never regret it.
