by Kevin Bonner, Sports Media Relations Assistant Senior guard Mike Farrelly won't go down in the annals as one of the greatest point guards in Saint Joseph's history. He won't be remembered for hitting many big shots. But off the court, this New City, N.Y. native is an All-American. Farrelly was recently honored with a selection to the Saint Joseph's Jesuit Honor Society called Alpha Sigma Nu. Juniors and seniors with a GPA over 3.5 are eligible and just 25 members were selected this year. "It's very prestigious," Farrelly said. The finance major says he doesn't have any problems balancing the academic workload and the rigors of a Division I basketball season. "It's not bad. You have certain time periods when you have to get stuff done. I know that from 4 to 7 [p.m.] I have to be at practice and I'll have time from 7 to 9 [p.m.] to do work." Despite realizing that he may never see his name in the starting lineup, Farrelly is the prototypical gym rat. Before and after practice, it's a good bet to see #3 firing up shots from behind the arc. "I just love basketball, it's my favorite thing to do. Even if I know I will never start for this team, I can work hard and prepare them in practice," he said. "It doesn't even seem like work to me." A 1999 graduate of Clarkstown North High School, Farrelly averaged 10 points and four assists a game his senior year earning league honorable mention honors. He suited up for the JV squad his freshman year and that spring, after playing pickup with graduating walk-ons, he decided to try out for the varsity squad. He saw playing time, a career high four minutes, in his very first varsity game against Western Carolina. Farrelly competed in 10 games that season, scoring four points. But it was one moment from that season that he lists as his all-time favorite. "I'd say the NCAA Tournament Selection Show. When our name went up on the board, we went crazy. It was the greatest feeling," he said. "I'm hoping to get that feeling again this year." In practice, Farrelly works as the third point guard behind Jameer Nelson and Dwayne Lee. The day before a game he mimics the opposing team's point guard, trying to replicate their game. So far this season, he's already been Boston College's Troy Bell, and more recently, the Bonnies' Marques Green. After graduation, Farrelly will be working for American Express Finanical Advisors in Conshohocken, but hopes to stay involved with basketball. "I'd love to coach at the high school level. I'll be following these guys [the Hawk men's basketball team], living through them," he said. With a job taken care of, Farrelly will focus on doing his part in helping the Hawks continue their best start since 1964-65. "We just need to keep improving. Our defense has been great; when our offensive catches up to our defense, we're gonna be tough."