Few boys basketball programs over the past decade have enjoyed the level of success and produced the collegiate talent to equal that of Greater Latrobe. Mike Noonan is among the myriad of skillful players who suited up for the Wildcats. Now, he’s a rotational fixture for Allegheny College, which recently played for a conference championship. Noonan is under the microscope in the latest edition of the Westmoreland Alum Q&A.

Noonan cracked the Greater Latrobe varsity roster as a sophomore in the 2017-18 campaign. That year, the Wildcats posted an overall record of 16-8, including 9-5 in section play. Greater Latrobe ousted Butler Area in the WPIAL Class 6A first round, but fell to Mount Lebanon in the quarterfinals to conclude the season.

The following season, Noonan and the Wildcats improved their mark to 18-3, including a perfect 10-0 record in section play. However, GL was bounced in the 6A quarterfinals by Canon-McMillan.

Noonan developed into the top scorer for the Wildcats during his senior campaign in 2019-20, but the squad finished at 6-16 overall, including 3-7 in section action, missing the postseason.

After wrapping up his career with the Wildcats, Noonan matriculated to Allegheny College, joining the Gators for the 2020-21 campaign. As a result of COVID, however, the traditional season was cancelled, and the Gators played in just five games, with no statistics officially recorded.

As Allegheny returned to a traditional slate last campaign, Noonan appeared in 16 contests, including three starts. During that action, he posted 2.3 points and 1.4 rebounds per contest, adding four assists, five steals, and a pair of blocks. Allegheny went 8-14 overall, including 6-9 in the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC). The Gators dropped their opening game of the NCAC Tournament, falling to Wooster.

This past season, the junior forward participated in 25 contests, posting averages of 2.5 points and 1.7 rebounds, along with five assists, two steals, and eight blocks. Allegheny improved drastically, compiling a record of 20-10, including 15-5 in its new conference – the Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC). In the PAC Tournament, the Gators bested Saint Vincent College and Thiel College to reach the title game. However, Allegheny lost to Chatham University 76-73. The Gators also qualified for the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Division III Championship Tournament, defeating Carnegie Mellon University in the first round before falling to Alfred University in the semifinals.

Following the conclusion of the season, Mike took time to field questions about his team’s move to the PAC, his most enjoyable college course, and his favorite holiday.

Q: How have you grown as a player during your time at Allegheny?

A: Allegheny basketball has taught me how to be more aware on the floor and how to be a team player.

Q: What is your best attribute on the court?

A: I would say my best attribute on the court is running the floor and finishing at the rim.

Q: You've played the vast majority of games off the bench the past two years. How have you adapted to that role?

A: At the college level, everyone is good, so playing off the bench taught me to always be ready for when my number is called and always play to win.

Q: Your team reached the PAC Championship game this season. What was key to the postseason run?

A: Staying together like a family and taking everything one step at a time.

Q: *What individual and team goals did you set for this season? *

A: My individual goals were to play my hardest every time my number was called and to get more playing time than I did last year.

Q: What was your reaction to Allegheny joining the PAC? What were the pros and cons of the move?

A: I was excited to play in the PAC because it’s always fun to play against new teams, and all of the away games are a lot closer for my family to come watch.

Q: What led to your decision to attend Allegheny?

A: The built-in family within our team. I could tell on my overnight trip that everybody was caring and welcoming. Also, the academics side is very good, as well as the campus.

Q: What is your major, and ideal future profession?

A: My major is business, and hopefully one day run a business.

Q: What has been your most enjoyable college course?

A: I would say non-profit management because I had a great teacher who knew a lot about running his own business because he did it himself. It was interesting hearing real-life stories whenever we had class.

Q: You attended Greater Latrobe High School. What was your fondest memory there?

A: Probably my junior year basketball season when we were undefeated section champs.

Q: Which team did you consider your biggest rivals during your time with the Wildcats?

A: Either Hempfield or Penn Trafford

Q: If you could change one rule about college basketball, what would it be?

A: Honestly, there's nothing that comes to my mind.

Q: What songs or type of music gets you in the right mindset before a game?

A: Definitely rap before a game, but music isn’t the most important thing to me when getting ready to win a game.

Q: If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?

A: Either wings, or some type of chicken, broccoli, and shrimp alfredo pasta.

Q: What is your favorite holiday? Why?

A: Christmas because we're off school and we get to see family and friends back home; also, lots of homemade food.