By Chris Goldberg
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 3/9/10
Malvern Prep junior face-off specialist Drew Kennedy has made a verbal commitment to play Division I lacrosse at Johns Hopkins University.
Kennedy was an Honorable Mention All-Phillylacrosse.com pick last year when he helped the Friars tie with Haverford School for the Inter-Ac League championship. He plays club lacrosse for the Duke’s LC, Seven Nations and Team HEADstrong.
Kennedy also considered Syracuse, Penn, and Bryant.
“I felt that Johns Hopkins was the place I wanted to attend because of their lacrosse tradition and their high academic standards,” he said. “Another major factor was the seriousness the players and coaches take toward lacrosse and the high expectations for each season. I want to compete for a national championship every season and I think Hopkins is the place to do that.”
Kennedy, who is undecided on a major but is looking at business, will arrive at Hopkins just as its current face-off specialist, Malvern Prep graduate Matt Dolente, graduates.
“Matt Dolente’s presence there was one of many things that brought me to Hopkins,” said Kennedy. “He was very helpful in the process answering any questions about life as a Hopkins student and a lacrosse player.”
Kennedy will also join La Salle junior midfielder Jack Bogorowski as a Hopkins recruit.
Kennedy is one of six Malvern Prep players to sign or commit to Division I colleges, The others are goalie Andrew O’Connell and midfielder Ryan Creighton (North Carolina), midfielder Bobby Hill (Virginia), long stick midfielder Henry Lobb (Duke), midfielder Mark Jackson (Villanova) and defenseman Jack Moran (St. Joseph’s).
“My expectations going into the season are very high,” Kennedy said. “The whole team is prepared to step up with the loss of a large senior class. We should have a great year.”
Kennedy wished to thank new coach Dan Keating, his assistant and brother, Mike Keating, former MP coach John McEvoy, his coaches at his former home in Pittsburgh, as well as his friends, the Gilmartins, and his parents for helping him through the recruiting process.
