Daily Item News: Seaforth tackles football and academics at Fitchburg State
Fitchburg State football's Taron Seaforth featured in an article in his hometown paper the Daily Item of Lynn.
Click to read original article – written by Daily Item of Lynn Staff Writer Tyler Allcudo
Lynn's Taron Seaforth is no rookie. Since he was a 7-year-old wearing green and gold for West Lynn Pop Warner at Barry Park, Seaforth has gone into the fall with two things on his mind: football and academics.
That journey is heading to a finish as he prepares to begin his senior season at Fitchburg State University. Last season, the Falcons recorded a 6-4 record that left the Lynn English graduate and his Falcon teammates with the right amount of optimism and motivation heading into camp, which began Friday.
"We've been able to improve and get better and closer as a team," said Seaforth, a 6-foot, 190-pound defensive back.
Seaforth made the decision to remain on campus during the summer, where he had a job and trained with teammates four days a week.
A criminal justice major with a minor in sociology, Seaforth defines the term student-athlete. He's a regular on the dean's list and expects to graduate after the fall semester with a 3.2 grade point average. He already is planning for life after football as a correctional officer in Shirley.
"It's not just football, Taron is a fantastic student," said Fitchburg head coach Patrick Haverty. "He's a leader in football and as a member in the college community, who puts his academics first.
In 2013, Seaforth was a preseason All-American and a Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference second team selection. He jumped to the MASCAC first team last season, when he accounted for 48 tackles, 2 interceptions, and 7 pass breakups.
With 9 career interceptions at Fitchburg, Seaforth sits fifth on the all-time list and has the chance to break the school record of 14.
Among nine returning starters on defense for the Falcons, Seaforth will play alongside fellow Lynn English graduates Malcom Brown-Simpson, a linebacker, and Jermaine Patterson, a lineman.
"It's a blessing to be able to play with my friends from high school and have them both on defense. They push me to be better and I push them right back," said Seaforth.
"The guys from Lynn are fantastic. Every Lynn kid is naturally a tough kid that works hard. They are a proud group and I'll take anyone from Lynn," said Haverty.
The Falcons will open their season on Sept. 4 at home against Becker College.