Tag: Bill Keeenan

Malvern Prep, St. Joseph’s Prep to Meet in Benefit Game

For the second consecutive year, Malvern Prep and St. Joseph’s Prep will meet on the ice as part of an effort to raise awareness of Rubinstein-Taybi Syndrome or RTS.

The Friars and the Hawks will square off in a regularly scheduled Atlantic Prep Athletic Conference game this coming Thursday, November 30, at 6:30 at Ice Line. 

Proceeds from the evening will be donated to several organizations who support individuals with Rubinstein-Taybi Syndrome, a genetic disorder that causes intellectual and developmental disabilities and impacts one in 125,000 children.

Connor Keenan, the son of Malvern Pep coach Bill Keenan, is afflicted with RTS; he will celebrate his fourth birthday in January.

Thursday’s varsity game will be the main event of a tripleheader which will begin with a junior-varsity game at 3:30 followed by a middle-school game at 5:10.

The day’s events actually begin at 3:00 Thursday afternoon with a Dine and Donate event at Ice Line’s Goal Line Pub that will run until 9:00 that evening.
Keenan expressed his thanks to his colleagues at Malvern Prep and in the hockey community for their support.

“Spreading awareness of this rare syndrome is very important to us,” he said. “The Malvern community has been so amazing and supportive to helping us raise awareness. 

“Last year was the first year we did this event and we are so happy to bring it back again this year. It is something we look forward to each and every year. Connor and our family are truly blessed to be surrounded by such amazing people.”

Speaking at last year’s inaugural benefit event, Keenan’s wife Sarah cited the importance of raising awareness of RTS.

“It’s very rare,” she said. “So, it’s important just make people aware of it for inclusion purposes and to get that research really going to see if they can help kids with the syndrome out.”

Bill Keenen cited St. Joseph’s Prep coach David Giacomin for his support of the event.

“When I asked Coach Giacomin to be a part of this event last year, there was no hesitation and an immediate ‘Yes’ response,” he said. “St. Joe Prep, although rivals on the ice are great partners and show a great amount of sportsmanship by being involved.”

Malvern Prep’s John Dewey Understands the Importance of Giving Back

The importance of community service is a concept Malvern Preparatory School seeks to instill in all its students. John Dewey has taken that concept to heart.

Dewey is a senior winger at Malvern Prep, but hockey is just one aspect of his life. During his time there, he’s been involved in a number of service projects. He’s helped run a charity youth lacrosse tournament, has participated in a holiday toy drive, and has been involved in the school’s efforts to feed the hungry and support underprivileged children.”

“I’ve known John since he was in middle school,” said Malvern Prep coach Bill Keenan. “He shows up every day. He’s always the first kind of guy to raise his hand and give to back to the program. It’ great to hear how much how much he’s involved in the outside, volunteering aspect, and it’s important to give back.”

In years past, Dewey has taken part in toy drives for children who would visit the school for a holiday party prior to the Christmas holiday break.

“Kids would come in and you’d play with them throughout the day,” he recalls. “Each kid would have one or two gifts and we’d just have a great day.”

Dewey is also active in Malvern Prep’s ongoing efforts to feed the hungry. Students fill ceramic bowls (made by their fellow students) which they fill with donated canned goods and then distribute in the community.

Dewey notes that the issue of hunger is more widespread than many realize. “Kids will throw food away that they get for lunch or they don’t eat,” he said “They don’t understand how much they’re actually getting.”

Dewey says that participating in events like the food drive give him a lot of satisfaction. “It’s pretty satisfying to realize you’re helping that much in general,” he said. “(Hunger) is such a big issue at home, and in the area.”

Dewey said the concept of serving others is something he will take with him when he graduates from Malvern Prep this spring. “It’s about helping other people who really need help, and not being selfish” he said. “Don’t try to keep everything yourself. Try to help other people.”

Keenan says it’s important for his players and their fellow students at Malvern Prep to understand the importance of giving back to their school and community.

“We’re fortunate in that we have a lot, especially these guys, going to a great school like Malvern,” he said. “Living up to the mission and being able to provide hands outside is something I think is an important quality for these boys to have.”

 

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