ORONO, Maine — John McCabe enjoyed a noteworthy football career at Winslow High School. He was told by Division III coaches that he would be able to step in and contribute immediately.
McCabe was determined not to settle for the easy path. Instead, the hard-hitting linebacker accepted a $1,000 scholarship to join the Division I program at the University of Maine.
“This showed another side of myself, that I could hack it and make it through. I knew it was going to be tough, but a lot of things are tough in life,” he said.
In retrospect, McCabe admits he did not fully comprehend the magnitude of the challenge that he would face trying to prove himself with the Black Bears.
“I knew I was a good player but college, especially [Division I], it’s a different breed of players and speed and strength,” he said.
On Saturday afternoon, the senior is again expected to see extensive action when UMaine battles Yale in the 3:30 p.m. Homecoming game at Alfond Stadium.
McCabe has toiled for more than four years to earn significant playing time.
“He’s worked for everything he’s got here,” said UMaine head coach Jack Cosgrove. “He’s one of those young men who loves the game, has committed himself to the game and his education here, and has done everything in his power to make himself into as good a student and an athlete as he can.”
This season, McCabe has enjoyed a productive fifth season at middle linebacker. He is seventh on the team with 18 tackles in five games.
The 6-foot, 220-pounder was thrust into a more prominent role during the season opener at Boston College when junior All-Colonial Athletic Association linebacker Christophe Mulumba Tshimanga was sidelined by a leg injury.
McCabe is enjoying the opportunity to be on the field more often, but his focus is the success of defensive unit and the team as a whole.
“I love our defense, and I want to see us succeed,” he said.
McCabe was a captain at Winslow for coach Mike Siviski. He was a two-time league defensive player of the year and was named the offensive player of the year.
However, he quickly discovered that UMaine presented a different set of circumstances. UMaine has featured several linebackers, some of whom were bigger and/or faster.
He redshirted as a freshman in 2011 and did not play in 2012. McCabe got into two games the following year, then finally saw action in five contests last season, mostly on special teams, while dealing with a nagging hamstring injury.
“It’s been a slow, steady climb and obviously it’s crossed my mind I don’t want to do this, but you can never give up,” McCabe said.
Quitting just isn’t in McCabe’s makeup.
“My parents [Timothy and Sandra McCabe] have always taught me that once you start something, you’ve got to finish it,” he said. I’m really glad I did. You’ve just got to put in your time, and if you did the right things along the way, then everything will work out. You just have to trust in your abilities.”
John McCabe credits his breakthrough in part to his dedication to nutrition (his major) and his commitment to the weight room, which have helped enable him to handle the rigors of playing full time.
This season, McCabe has been difficult to get off the field. He initially was part of the Black Bears’ punt, punt assault, kickoff and kickoff return units, but he was pulled from two of those because of his workload at linebacker.
He also has earned a full scholarship.
“It’s really a good story of a young man who’s been persistent and continued to pursue his dream,” Cosgrove said. “He has a lot to smile about when he looks back on his experience here.”
McCabe tries to be a quiet leader, one who imparts occasional advice to younger players in an understated way. He understands what they are going through in trying to make the transition to Division I and crack the lineup.
Every day, he attempts to soak up the excitement and camaraderie of being on the field with his teammates.
“This is my senior year, I’ve just got to enjoy it,” he said.
McCabe credits his competitiveness to growing up the youngest of four athletic brothers: Kevin, Chris and Billy. The boys also played hockey as their mom worked at Sukee Ice Arena.
Playing football at Winslow also instilled in McCabe an appreciation for having the chance to represent his school and his community.
“There was a passion for winning, but it was more about being a part of something bigger than yourself,” he said.
The same dynamic remains in play for McCabe at UMaine, where he is excited to play for his family, his town and his state. More importantly, he hopes to serve as an example to other instate players who aspire to play Division I football.
“There’s always a stigma that Maine guys have less talent,” McCabe said. “Talent’s talent. Some just mold it more than others. It just gives me a sense of pride that I made it, and I can show other guys that they can do it, too.”