Alumni Spotlight: Sean Callahan, Sts. Peter and Paul Class of 1995
You may recognize his face and name. Sean Callahan has covered Nebraska football since 1999. But did you know, Callahan grew up in Omaha and graduated from Sts. Peter and Paul 1995?
He currently is the publisher of HuskerOnline.com, which is a part of the Rivals.com network. In addition, he reports for KETV Channel 7 (ABC) in Omaha, along with Big Red Radio 1110 KFAB in Omaha. Callahan also serves as a sideline reporter for NET and a recruiting analyst for their weekly Husker show Big Red Wrap-Up. He has covered every Nebraska road and home football game since 2000. Already author of a called “100 Things Nebraska Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die,” he is the process of putting together a second book for next year about Scott Frost coming back to Nebraska. He is a two-time Nebraska sportswriter of the year. He and his wife Lisa currently reside in Lincoln with their two daughters, Kit and Carly.
Enjoy our Q&A with Sean:
Note: This Q&A will also be featured in our Annual Report, coming inside the November 15 issue of The Catholic Voice
Why did you love Catholic school?
I loved the culture and community of Catholic schools. I was surrounded by so many like-minded people and great teachers that pushed us to be better. So many people I grew up with both at Sts. Peter and Paul and Gross Catholic High School have gone on to have great success, and I believe the culture and environment we grew up in played a big factor.
“My third-grade teacher Ms. Brennan is one I’ll always remember. I still sing the Schoolhouse Rock songs in my head when I multiply numbers.”
What advice would you have for a student/family considering a Catholic school?
The biggest thing I’d say is you are going to be surrounding yourself with very like-minded people that want to succeed. The smaller school settings also offer more opportunities. We started our daughter in Catholic schools (in Lincoln) and have loved every minute of it so far. Most importantly, she has, too.
How did your elementary school prepare you for what you’re doing now?
One thing I’ll always remember is how our teachers used to give us free reading time once during the week. I used to bring Sports Illustrated Magazine’s with me to school on those days starting in fourth and fifth grade. That helped me develop my passion for what I do now ever more. I would tell the teachers “I brought this with me to read, because it’s what I’m going to be doing some day.”
Can you tell us a few more unique facts about yourself?
My grandma Janet Moriarty attended Sts. Peter & Paul and my grandpa Charles attended St. Mary School (Omaha). My dad attended St. Joan of Arc and Archbishop Ryan High School in Omaha. Catholic schools run deep in my family and I was blessed to carry on that tradition, and now our daughter is as well.
I have a twin sister, Maureen Gregor, who attend Sts. Peter & Paul (and Gross Catholic) with me.
I grew up just two blocks from Sts. Peter & Paul and we were able to walk to school every day. So many great families lived in the neighborhood when I grew up. I was even married by former Sts. Peter & Paul pastor Father Don Shane.
* * *
Thanks to Sean for sharing his story. Know someone else who graduated from a Consortium school (past or present) whom we should interview? Let us know at OCSC_Communications@omahacsc.org.
