VILLANOVA, Pa. – More than a decade has passed since Mike Seamon concluded a soccer career that included a three-year run with Seattle Sounders FC in Major League Soccer. But recently the Rahway, N.J., native, now a sales executive with a healthcare software firm in his home state, made a purchase with his wife Lauren, herself a former college soccer player.
"We both bought cleats," he says over the phone with a chuckle.
Seamon's soccer arc included a four-season run at Villanova (2006-09), where he scored 20 goals and 18 assists. As a sophomore he was the Philly Soccer Seven Player of the Year before earning third team All-BIG EAST accolades as a junior and first team all-league honors as a senior.
Saturday afternoon Seamon will be among the Villanova Soccer graduates on hand for the program's annual "Alumni Day" when the Wildcats (2-1-2 overall) host Princeton (1-1 overall) at 1 p.m. (ESPN+).
"I've been back to campus a few times over the years but not recently," says Seamon. "I have seen images and video of all the changes to campus, though, and I'm so excited to be able to get back to be there Saturday."
The drive down the New Jersey and Pennsylvania turnpikes may well stir a few memories. As a prep standout at Union Catholic High School, where he scored 79 career goals, Seamon, 6-1, had no shortage of college suitors. Campus visits were stacked one upon the other and Seamon concedes now that by the time he made the drive to Villanova after arranging a visit with head coach Larry Sullivan and his staff, a sort of vague familiarity had begun to set in.
"By that time," he states, "I think I had made 10 visits. Some of the schools were aggressive with their scholarship offers."
Once he was in the car to begin the drive home, Seamon told his parents, "that's where I'm going. I just felt the vibe of Villanova."
In his college debut in August 2006, Seamon contributed a goal and an assist to a 3-1 win over Drexel. A year later, he contributed an assist on a Mike DelGuercio goal that helped upend No. 1 ranked Duke in new head coach Tom Carlin's first season at the helm (Carlin had served as associate head coach in 2006).
"Carlin was really data driven and technical where Larry used more of a free-flowing approach," Seamon recalls. "I think the win over Duke and some of the wins we had after that were because of the way we defended as a unit."
What stands out to Seamon about those days now is less about the statistics or results, than the bonds shared with teammates and coaches.
"We had such a close-knit group of guys," Seamon states. "The camaraderie we had as teammates was special. Those moments we shared were on the bus rides and in the locker room. And it wasn't just our team. That extended to the whole athletic department. We had friends on the volleyball team, the football team and the basketball teams. There was a mutual respect there as athletes that just made it very cool to be a part of."
Seamon also developed an appreciation for leadership that still helps him in his professional life today. As an undergraduate he participated in Villanova's Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), a group formed in 1993 that includes two representatives serving from every varsity sport.
"Some of the things we learned about leadership have stayed with me," he notes.
His coach also spoke often of the importance of leadership and recommended books like "Good to Great", by James C. Collins.
"It's the idea that great individuals don't matter if the company fails," Seamon states. "We talked a lot about how to be a team and that stuff really resonated with me."
Seamon has remained a loyal Villanova fan in the years since his graduation. He lived in New York City for a period in the 2010s and was a frequent attendee at game-watch events centered around Men's Basketball. He was at one in 2016, when Kris Jenkins sank the shot that gave the 'Cats their second NCAA championship in dramatic fashion, a 77-74 win over North Carolina.
He also keeps a close eye on his professional alma mater in Seattle.
But don't count Seamon among those ex-athletes who yearn for their personal glory days.
"I'm proud that I played in the Big East and in Seattle," he says. "When I look back, I focus on the incredible experiences I had. To walk on (Lumen Field) with thousands of people bringing so much energy is just a crazy feeling. The travel camaraderie we shared in college and MLS is something a lot of people don't get to experience.
"It's just so rewarding to think about. It was great fun and I'm looking forward to being back on campus at Nova."
