Jennifer Hoffer – Sports Editor
Junior lacrosse player, Philip Kennedy has been playing lacrosse ever since his dad got him into the sport when he was in sixth grade.
“He signed me up for Avon Youth Lacrosse,” Kennedy said. “I had always wanted to try it my dad and uncle’s all played. My dad played in college and he was a big reason why I play lacrosse.”
After coming off a one-win season, Kennedy said it’s been fun playing with these guys and he’s looking forward to this season.
“We are a very young group and this year,” Kennedy said. “It will be a lot of fun because we have a lot of experienced players returning. The freshmen core group this year is also very talented. And I just can’t wait to see the team begin to come together because it is amazing to watch.”
Even though the team has struggled, Kennedy said, the team gets closer over the course of the season.
“The success that you have during the season is only possible in lacrosse when you work with your teammates to win games,” Kennedy said.
Being a part of Southern’s team, Kennedy said, is rewarding because the team is so young, that watching the growth of the team over the years is the best part.
“To see the team this year compared to what we had this time last year is amazing,” Kennedy said. “It’s great to see the level of commitment and talent that has grown over the course of just one year.”
Being a junior, Kennedy said his game has improved a lot since he has come to Southern.
“I have been able to play offense and work on becoming a bigger asset to the team,” Kennedy said. “I was able to accomplish this by working on my physical endurance and my ball movement during practice.”
As far as team improvements go, Kennedy said that the team has improved over the years mainly because they are doing more preseason workouts and getting more practice in during the week.
“That is something that we did not start until the middle of February last year so that it is great to see that improving,” Kennedy said. “We also had a very successful fall season one of the biggest accomplishments was our scrimmage with Central we were down in the final minutes and tied the game. Even though we lost in overtime to see the team come together that early in the season and to play with Central who contends for the championship every year is definitely a sign of the teams potential.”
Because of the teams improvements over the past few years, Kennedy said he is looking forward to seeing the team make the jump to a playoff and championship contender this season.
“This years team definitely has the talent to accomplish things that we have never accomplished,” Kennedy said. “I cannot wait to see how this season turns out.”
When he’s not playing lacrosse, Kennedy said he has it on television watching his favorite player, Mikey Powell.
“He is one of the only guys in the world that can do a front flip while cradling a lacrosse stick and then score a goal,” Kennedy said. “It is always so exciting to see what he is going to do on the field.”
One of Kennedy’s favorite aspects about the sport is the faceoff, he said.
“I would say that I am a tough player,” Kennedy said. “The face-off can really only be one of the most physical parts of men’s lacrosse. I enjoy playing in those tough physical games where there is a lot of hitting and contact. But, I also like to make sure that my teammates get the ball so that we can get the opposing team moving.”
Not only has a sport made Kennedy a better person but, he said, it’s taught him how to work well with others.
“Working well with other can translate to success,” Kennedy said. “Being able to relate to and work with others has definitely helped me in the military when we are doing training that requires teamwork. It has also showed me putting in the hours of hard work can translate to success on the field because doing the little things is what wins games.
That’s right. Not only is Kennedy lacrosse player but he also dedicated his time to being in the Connecticut Army National Guard.
Kennedy said, especially being part of the Army has taught him a lot about being a better person and how to do that.
“Being assigned to aviation has taught me about accomplishing goals and that working as team can mean life coming home from a flight,” Kennedy said. “When I first got back from training and finally began drilling with my unit I knew that I wanted to become a crew chief.
After spending time working on the UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters, Kennedy finally got the opportunity that he wanted and got to move up and become a crew chief.
“The training involved in that is so tough because there is a lot of stuff that you have to know,” Kennedy said. “The information that you have to know is all information that pilots rely on you to know, should there be a problem during a flight. During the flight the crew has to function as a team we all have to do our jobs and work together because if we do not that is when things can go wrong.”
The most challenging situation Kennedy has ever been in is not sports related, it involves the Army.
“When I was faced with Basic Combat Training for the Army, that was definitely challenging,” Kennedy said. “When I was going through basic training, it was definitely challenging at first because it was an entirely new environment and I did not know what to expect.”
When Kennedy is not flying planes or playing lacrosse, Kennedy said he is surrounded by the love of this family.
“They are the ones that support me in everything that I do whether in the military, school, sports, or life in general,” Kennedy said.
His dad especially, has been one of the most influential people in his life, Kennedy said. Not only did he get him into playing the sport that he loves, but also he has always been there for him.
“He has always has been able to give me the right advice, no matter what I’m doing,” Kennedy said.
