Education
McAthy played high school soccer for Huntington Beach High School in Southern California. He set school records for career goals at 41, career assists at 28, and assists in one season. He was also recognized as a "Scholar with Distinction" upon graduation from HBHS. His prowess on the field and in the classroom led to being recruited to the University of California, Santa Barbara to play college soccer on scholarship by coach Tim Vom Steeg.
With the UCSB Gauchos, he played for 4 years, eventually leading the team to the 2004 Division I Men"s College Cup where the Gauchos fell in penalties in the championship game to Indiana University.
He was named the 2004 College Cup’s Most Outstanding Offensive Player for the tournament.
While at university, McAthy played for two different PDL teams to gain experience and keep fitness throughout the summer.
In 2003, he appeared in 9 games and scored 2 goals for Orange County Blue Star alongside UCSB teammate Dan Kennedy. The next season, he played for Cape Cod Crusaders and scored 5 goals with 2 assists in 9 games.
