while at clemson university, monahan broke several school and atlantic coast conference records, some of which he still holds, including game appearances, at bats, and hits. monahan appeared in every clemson game during his 3 years at the school (1993–1995). in the 1994 season, monahan led the ncaa in hits (137) and runs (97). his 137-hit season remains an acc record. also in 1994, monahan set acc single-season records of 330 at bats and 75 game appearances. he is one of only 5 clemson tigers to hit for the cycle, doing so in hawai'i against hawai'i-hilo on march 19, 1994. he was acc player of the week twice in 1994, and the acc tournament mvp. he was named to the all-acc tournament team in 1994 and 1995. in 1993, along with teammate scott winchester, monahan was a freshman all-american; in the 1994 and 1995 seasons, monahan was a two-time all-american in the abca, baseball america, collegiate baseball, and ncbwa polls.