HGP-Malvern Prep Matchup About Much More Than Hockey

Thursday’s Atlantic Prep Athletic Conference matchup between Malvern Prep and Holy Ghost Prep will be about much more than what happens on the ice.

For the third year in succession, the hockey community is coming together for RTS Awareness Night and highlight the fight against Rubnenstein Taybi Syndrome, a genetic disorder. Malvern Prep coach Bill Keenan and his wife Sarah joined the fight when they learned their son Connor, who will turn 5 in January, was afflicted with RTS.

Connor is the youngest of the Keenans’ three children. His brother JJ is 10, his sister Olivia is 8.

Proceeds from Thursday’s game (6:45 puck drop at Ice Line) will go to support the families of children dealing with the disorder.

“This is our third annual RTS Awareness Night,” Keenan said. “It’s a great night to come together as a community and raise awareness not only for RTS but those affected with rare diseases.

“Sometimes life is bigger then sports or a hockey game. We are grateful for the community that surrounds us and the support they provide to Connor and our family.”

“We look forward to continuing this event for many years to come. The past two years we played against St. Joseph’s Prep and this year Coach Ritchie without hesitation willingly said Holy Ghost would participate. It is a great sign of strength in why we play in this league because again it’s more than just a game.”

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-St. Joseph’s Prep Matchup to Aid the Fight Against RTS

When Malvern Prep hosts St. Joseph’s Prep in an APAC game on Thursday, February 9 at Ice Line, the evening will be about more than just hockey.

The game itself will be the centerpiece of a dine-and-donate event to raise funds for the effort to find a cure for Rubinstein-Taybi Syndrome, or RTS, a rare genetic syndrome.

RTS is a genetic syndrome which is typically a mutation of the CREBBP or EP300 gene. Those with RTS have an intellectual disability along with both developmental and growth delays. Some have other medical issues as well.

Malvern Prep coach Bill Keenan’s 3-year old son Connor is afflicted with RTS, which occurs in one of every 125,000 children.
“It’s a spectrum,” Kenan said, “so some kids have more impediments than others.

“My son was diagnosed last year, so, we’re trying to bring awareness to it for a good cause. We’ve met some other families with the syndrome and we want to do our part in raising awareness and giving back.”

The dine-and-donate event will begin at 7 p.m. and continue until 10:30. The game between the Friars and the Hawks will begin at 8:30.

Keenan’s entire family will join him in a ceremonial pick drop including his wife Sarah, Connor, and Connor’s siblings. 8-year old J.J. and 6-year old Olivia.

Keenan is grateful for the support he and his family have received from the Malvern Prep community and the area hockey community.

“We’re lucky to have such a great community from Malvern Prep and the hockey community that wants to help us raise awareness,” he said, “and we’re looking forward to a good night. This is our first year obviously having something like this and we’ll build onto it. Maybe have some other families come out in the future, and overall we’re just looking for it to be a fun night where everybody can learn and bring awareness.”

Keenan feels an obligation to be a voice for families dealing with RTS.

“As most people know, I don’t like to be in the spotlight,” he said, “and my family does not like to be in the spotlight. At the end of the day this event isn’t just about Connor. It is for all those with RTS and being able to educate others is a big part of what me and my family are trying to do.”