The Golden Knights’ all-time leading scorer in lacrosse, Ed McMahon powered Clarkson’s potent offense in the late 1980s and early 1990s when the Green and Gold enjoyed some of their greatest success.
A 5-10, 160-pound attackman, McMahon led the Knights in scoring in each of his four seasons and gained numerous all-star honors. With McMahon leading the way, Clarkson made three postseason appearances, won two playoff titles and compiled a 43-13 record from 1988-1991.
"Eddie was very instrumental in bringing Clarkson Lacrosse to the next level," stated head coach Bill Bergan. "We made the NCAA Tournament for the first time in his senior year with Ed leading the way. He always drew the opponents’ top defender, but still managed to become Clarkson’s all-time leading scorer. He always found a way to get it done."
The 1988 ICAC Rookie of the Year award capped off a spectacular collegiate debut for McMahon, which saw the Liverpool, NY native emerge as one of Division III’s best attackmen. He set the Clarkson record for most goals in a season with 49 and led the ICAC in scoring with 66 points through 15 games. He also recorded three seven-goal games during his freshman campaign as the Knights posted a 12-3 overall record and won the ECAC Upstate NY Tournament Championship.
McMahon continued his scoring prowess as a sophomore, establishing himself as one of the premier players in the country, gaining third-team All-America and ICAC Player of the Year accolades. He set several school records while helping the Green and Gold to one of their best seasons ever and a second consecutive post-season title. Leading the ICAC once again in scoring, McMahon established Clarkson records for points in a season, with 85, and assists, with 49. Under first-year head coach Bill Bergan, the Knights amassed a 13-2 record and won the 1989 ECAC Upstate NY Tournament Championship. McMahon tallied two goals and five assists in the 14-8 title-game victory over RIT at Hantz Field as the Knights lifted the championship trophy for the second straight year.
As a junior, McMahon scored a team-high 57 points on 27 goals and 30 assists en route to gaining ICAC First-team honors.
McMahon closed out his collegiate career in 1991, and as co-captain helped to lead Clarkson to the program’s first NCAA Tournament appearance. He totaled 80 points (45-35) through 14 games of his senior campaign and earned third-team All-America and ICAC co-Player of the Year honors along with playing in the prestigious North/South Game.
The most prolific scorer in Clarkson’s history, McMahon recorded 288 points through 56 career games. He set a school mark for most career-goals at 157, and was just two points shy of the Clarkson record for career assists with 131.
Over 16 years after his last collegiate game, McMahon still ranks among the most productive scorers in the NCAA, ranking 13th all-time in points per game (5.14), 17th in all-time points and 17th in all-time assists.
Ed McMahon accepts his Athletic Hall of Fame plaque from Clarkson President Tony Collins and AD Steve Yianoukos
