In three years with the St. John’s Prep basketball team, Aidan Callahan has plenty to be proud of. A four-year player — two starting on varsity — Callahan was named captain for his junior season. He played like one too, leading the Eagles in points, rebounds, assists and steals at point guard.
For Eagles coach John Dullea, Callahan is a player that represents what his program is all about.
“Aidan has been a great player for us and he’s just as good a person,” Dullea said. “He’s a great example of what we strive to get from our student athlete. He’s a perfect example of the St. John’s student athlete and he represents our school well. I can’t say enough good things about him.”
And Callahan’s time as a student-athlete won’t stop, with the Rowley native committing earlier this week to continue his basketball career at Worcester Polytechnic Institute next year. For Callahan, WPI offered him the whole package on and off the court.
“It just seemed like such a great situation,” Callahan said. “I loved the coaches and the team is a tight-knit and dedicated group. WPI is known to have a great program. They’re known for their academics too so that’s also a great opportunity for me.”
Callahan looked over plenty of options, including schools in the Northeast-10, Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference and others in the New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference with WPI, but the Engineers, along with 19-year coach Chris Bartley, stood out.
“(Bartley) has been there and him and assistant coach Jeff Robinson have been talking to me since the beginning,” Callahan said. “It showed me they cared. They’re great guys, all the coaches I talked to were great, but they stood out. And they’re looking for me to have an impact right away which is an awesome opportunity.”
Even though Callahan and the Eagles were able to complete their season before the year’s coronavirus pandemic hit, recruiting and staying active during the offseason was still a challenge.
“The pandemic made recruiting more difficult and it was hard for coaches to see me play,” Callahan said. “There were also some limited spots at places for seniors staying a fifth year.
I just tried to stay active, worked out at home and got to the gym when I could,” Callahan said. “I also played games in New Hampshire whenever I could.”
Callahan did it all for the Eagles on the court last winter, but it was his defense that first caught Dullea’s eye.
“When Aidan first came in, initially his on-ball defense stood out,” Dullea said. “He’s a tremendous on-ball defender even since he was a freshman. Now he’s rounded out his game and he did everything for us as well as primary ball handler.
“This will be his second year as a captain now and he’s a leader by example,” Dullea said. “He’s not a big ra ra guy, he won’t scream in your face but his performance speaks for itself. He’s a tremendous player and will go on to be a great player. WPI is fortunate to have him.”
The last four years have been a growing process for Callahan and he’s hoping he’ll be able to continue that on the court for the Eagles this winter before heading to WPI.
“All four years have definitely been great experiences,” Callahan said. “I made varsity as a freshman and learned a lot from a great group of guys. I’m pretty sure four guys from that team went on to play in college. I start as a sophomore and not many people get to do that at the Prep. Junior year I took on more of a leadership role and I’m really hoping to continue that this year.”
“If this senior year happens I’d like to just improve my game, show my improvement and lead the team on and off the court. We have a great group of guys. I love them all, this is the tightest team we’ve had in my four years. We’re looking to make some noise in the tournament and obviously compete in a great Catholic Conference again.”
