Men’s recruit: Springfield-Delco’s Kaut changes verbal comitment from Drexel to Penn State

By Chris Goldberg
Phillylacrosse.com, posted 7/16/09

Springfield-Delco rising senior goalie Austin Kaut has rescinded his commitment to Drexel and has made a verbal commitment to Penn State.

Kaut, who originally committed to Drexel a month ago, said Penn State had been his No. 1

choice in the recruiting process but that the Nittany Lions did not desire to recruit a goalie at the time.

But recently the Lions learned that Steven Rastivo, a major recruit last year who redshirted this season, was planning to transfer out. That left a hole in the cage and Penn State assistant coach Guy Van Arsdale immediately contacted Kaut and told him he was their first choice.

Kaut, an All-Central League first team and All-Eastern Pennsylvania Scholastic Lacrosse Association pick, fared well in late June in the Under Armour Underclassmen Games. He is playing this summer for the Duke’s Lacrosse Club.

“The first time I heard this (Rastivo’s decision) was two weeks ago when I received an e-mail from coach Van Arsdale,” said Kaut. “He said that some dramatic things are going on, that Rastivo was leaving and that I was their No. 1 guy.”

Kaut, who led the Cougars into the state semifinals this year, said changing his commitment had nothing to do with the recent coaching change at Drexel. This week, Brian Voelker, formerly the coach at Penn, was named as the replacement for Chris Bates – who recently took the job at Princeton as the replacement for Bill Tierney.

Kaut enjoyed his visit to Penn State during the recruiting process and is pleased to follow the long list of Philly players that have gone to Happy Valley. Last month, Downingtown East rising senior attackman Shane Sturgis committed to Penn State.

“The school is amazing and the scenery is amazing,” said Kaut, who is planning to study business and economics. “Even the drive up is awesome, too.

“And having the Philly guys there has a little effect. I love to be around Philly guys and Shane is one of my best friends.

“I spoke with coach Voelker (Wednesday) and told him Penn State was my first choice of schools and it was a little better fit for me.”

Kaut’s decision means the job of Penn State goalie may stay in the Springfield-Delco family. For the past four years, the Lions had brilliant goaltending from Springfield-Delco grad Drew Adams – a three-time All-American.

“When I was in 8^th grade he ran camp at high school,” said Kaut. “He taught me most of the things I know today.”