EASTON, Mass. – The 2026-2027 Senior Reflections is a series of annual collections. Senior representatives of teams at Stonehill have been invited to contribute and reflect on their personal experiences over their four-year careers at Stonehill - both on and off the playing surface. 

Jack O'Connell, Football
 
When I was going through the recruiting process, there were a lot of reasons why I chose Stonehill. It was close to home, it was a great academic school, and most importantly, it gave me the opportunity to continue playing the sport I love. Being close to home also meant my parents could come watch me play, which was something that was really important to me. But what stood out the most was how much the coaching staff at Stonehill believed in me throughout the recruiting process. I felt like the coaches genuinely wanted me here, and Stonehill showed me the most love from the beginning.  
 
When I first came to Stonehill, I was focused on becoming the best football player I could be and proving that I belonged at this level. Over time, though, football became a lot more than just me. One of the biggest things Stonehill football taught me is that on the days when you can't do it for yourself, you have to do it for the people around you. There were countless early mornings, workouts, practices, and long days when I was tired or didn't feel like pushing myself. But I always had teammates next to me who I couldn't let down. I saw guys dealing with things outside of football that were much bigger than the game, yet they still showed up every day and gave everything they had to the team. Seeing that made me realize how selfish it would be for me not to give that same effort. It also made me think about everyone who helped me get to this point. My parents sacrificed so much of their time and energy to help me reach my goal of playing college football. The same goes for the coaches, mentors, family members, and friends who believed in me along the way. I realized that I owed it to them, and to myself, to take advantage of the opportunity I had been given and see it through. 
 
My favorite athletic memory at Stonehill came during my senior year when we beat Maine. The year before, we finished 1-10, which was frustrating and, honestly, embarrassing. We knew we were capable of more, but we had to prove it. Going on the road and beating a team that most people highly doubted we could beat was already special. Doing it the way we did, converting a 4th-and-21 for a touchdown late in the game and finding a way to finish the job, made it even better. That win felt like a reward for everyone who continued to believe in the program. It meant a lot for the guys who chose to stay and help turn things around instead of leaving when things got difficult, the new guys who committed to a program coming off a tough season, and the coaches who chose to come to Stonehill and take on the challenge of helping turn the program around. We all bought into what we were trying to build and believed we could change the direction of the program, even when not many people outside our locker room did. That win felt like proof that all the work, belief, and commitment everyone had put in was starting to pay off.  
Academically, one of my proudest moments was graduating alongside some of my teammates and closest friends. Stonehill challenged me academically while football challenged me physically and mentally. Being able to graduate from a school like Stonehill with guys who had become like brothers to me was something I'll always be proud of. 
 
More than anything, my time at Stonehill has taught me perspective. When you're in the middle of a difficult moment, it can feel like it's the end of the world. I've learned that not everything is going to go your way, and sometimes there isn't an easy answer. You have to put your head down, keep working, and lean on the people closest to you for support. Eventually, things have a way of working themselves out. I've also learned that nothing is handed to you.
You have to earn the things you want. Whether it was competing for playing time, trying to win games, getting through a difficult class, or handling adversity, Stonehill taught me to keep showing up and doing the work even when the results weren't immediate. 
 
I'll always be grateful that Stonehill gave me the opportunity to play college football, earn my degree, meet some of my best friends, and become a better version of myself. The wins and accomplishments will always mean a lot to me, but the people and the lessons are what I'll remember most.
 
To view the past Senior Reflections visit this site: 2026-2027 Senior Reflections. 

For the latest on Stonehill Athletics, follow the Skyhawks via social media on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.