Dean Kennedy has certainly embraced the community of Rochester Athletics. He was recruited to UR for football, but once on campus, he started talking to the basketball coach. Next thing, he was trying out and walking on to the UR basketball team. For the Scituate, Mass., native, playing and excelling at sports is very natural.
 
But so is his academic abilities. A public health major, Kennedy has shown his propensity for academic excellence over the last three years. For this reason, he is one of 10 athletes honored this year with the Lysle "Spike" Garnish award for his accomplishments both in the classroom and on the field.
 
Where did this all start in the first place? For Kennedy, the decision to come to UR in the first place was almost compulsory.
 
"All the other schools I applied to weren't as academically challenging," he explains. "When I got in, it felt like I had to go, it was such a reach school."
 
After attending prep school for a year after high school, Kennedy was recruited by UR to come play football. What Kennedy has found at the school is more than just a football experience, though.
 
In the classroom, Kennedy wanted to apply his interest in sports. He chose public health and is hoping to pursue a career in sports medicine.
 
"My dad is a physical therapist," Kennedy explains. "The great thing about getting into sports medicine, your still around all the team sports environment. Plus, seeing my dad as a physical therapist always real intrigued me."
 
The team sports environment has been so crucial for Kennedy, ever since he was put into the quarterback position in the third grade (he's since thought about wide receiver but he has "too much of an awkward body."). It's clear in his time as a Yellowjacket that UR has benefitted as well - Kennedy came in as a starter at the quarterback position as a sophomore. He remembers one moment during that year particularly well.
 
"I came in against Alfred sophomore year, and it just made me remember that I really liked football," Kennedy says. "Sometimes you go into college and the fun gets taken out of the sport for whatever reason. It was nice to be reminded that it was fun."
 
It was as a junior that Kennedy really hit his stride, though. He set the single season passing record, throwing for over 2000 yards. He was named Liberty League player of the week for his 345 yard, 1 touchdown performance with two rushing touchdowns against St. Lawrence.
 
He was also named an All-Academic selection by the Liberty League. Kennedy's demonstrated leadership on the field is in part what is motivating him to look into coaching as well.
 
"It would be great to go somewhere for physical therapy where I could also get experience coaching football," he says. "I'm not sure where I would want to end up as a physical therapist - either with a school or with a team - but it would be cool to incorporate both interests."
 
Wherever he ends up, Kennedy will be guided by his family and friends - people who have modeled how to live. His parents, Sparky and John, he acknowledges for being unselfish and kind people.
 
His friends, meanwhile, have been often what have made his college experience what it has been. Like this past summer, where he stayed in Rochester in a house with a bunch of his buddies, training for football and working long days for a furniture company. Kennedy hopes maybe after he graduates to leave Rochester and "get to see the country." His experience at UR, however, has certainly left its mark.
 
"It's been challenging, but it also teaches you how to deal with challenges," Kennedy explains. "It's doable and molds you into being a better student and person."