JJ McCarthy was born and raised in La Grange Park, Illinois by his amazing parents, Megan and Jim McCarthy. Jonathan James McCarthy is his full name as given to him by his parents, but he eventually shortened it to JJ, the nickname his parents affectionately call him.
He was introduced to skating by his mother, Megan, a professional figure skater when he was just a toddler. His father once said, “I feel like hockey is one of the best sports to watch a kid play. We had days when we left football to go to Toronto or Pittsburgh.”
McCarthy separated from family, friends and teammates when he transferred to IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida. But in addition to wanting to come to Ann Arbor as soon as possible, he wanted to play his senior year of high school football.
Also, JJ decided to play football for Nazareth Academy when he was in sixth grade. Then his father asked Tim Racki, the instructor, if his little child could participate in the sessions. The coach acknowledged that the athlete got along well with the team and staff. “He loved it so much,” Jim said. “He liked the way they accepted him.”
