Belhaven Alumni Spotlight: Alan Hannon Reflects on Soccer Career

Alan Hannon, a former Belhaven University soccer player, credits coach Marty Shirley for his decision to attend the school. Hannon said he was drawn to Belhaven after meeting Shirley at a tournament in Memphis and hearing positive reviews from current players. “Knowing there were other Irish guys there made the transition to America feel a lot easier,” Hannon said.

During his time as a Blazer, Hannon recalls several standout moments, including a 5-0 victory over Union College when they were ranked fifth nationally. He also highlighted a 1-0 conference win at William Carey and a senior-year overtime win against Mobile, where he scored the winning goal. “The atmosphere was unreal,” he added.

Hannon expressed nostalgia for daily soccer training and the strong relationships he built on campus. “Playing soccer every day was what I miss the most,” he said. He also shared how close-knit the campus community was and how those connections helped him academically and socially.

Since graduating, Hannon has spent around 15 years coaching soccer, earning his coaching badges, and supporting the sport. Although he stepped back from coaching recently, he plans to return. “I really miss it,” he said. Hannon also praised some of his former teammates, including John Kehoe, Ricky Machel, Juan Rodriguez, Gui Brandao, and current Belhaven coach James Gledhill, as some of the best players he played with.

For updates on Belhaven athletics, fans are encouraged to follow @BelhavenBlazers on Twitter and Instagram and like the team on Facebook. Supporters can also contribute through Team Green Giving.

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