By: Leighanne Jordan
Every athlete has a different story. A different goal, motivation, and strive to succeed in their sport. At the colligate level, every athlete shares one thing in common, the recruiting process. However, Bellarmine field hockey’s sophomore Kennedy DeDario tells a different recruiting story.
DeDario first picked up a field hockey stick in middle school but has been a dancer since she took her first steps. Her story began in Dayton Ohio, but more precisely at Vicki Jo Dance studio. Kennedy began dancing when she was just two years old, and she competed in competitive dance until she was a senior in high school. Her family to this day continues to be heavily involved with dance and the dance community, as her siblings still dance competitively.
From ballet shoes to turf cleats, it is interesting DeDario committed to the Bellarmine field hockey program.
“I wanted an opportunity to attend a school that academically was the perfect fit, and I wanted to be a student-athlete,” DeDario says. “Field hockey was my opportunity, not dance.”
The decision was not easy for DeDario. She had danced competitively in several dance productions including, jazz, tap, ballet, contemporary, production and kick line.
The dedication DeDario focused on dance did not leave much room for field hockey. Outside of high school activities and high school field hockey, DeDario spent countless hours in the dance studio.
“My normal high school day consisted of a full school day, then field hockey practice, and then dance. Everyday,” she said.
As a field hockey athlete, DeDario is successful on the field. During her high school career, she started varsity all four years, leading the team in academic achievements, and was consistently filling the role as leader and caption. However, DeDario did not play club field hockey. Her exposure to the field hockey world was limited to emails and parent filmed highlight tapes, making her recruiting process unique.
For any athlete aspiring to play their sport at the colligate level, club experience is expected. Traveling for showcases, contacting college coaches, and attending clinics and visits are among the expectations athletes hold during the recruiting process.
“What makes Kennedy special is that she was recruited without playing club field hockey, said BU field hockey head coach Devanny Boisvert. “We watched her film and she visited campus.”
DeDario brings talent to the field. She is committed and dedicated to the new division one field hockey program with a distinct recruiting story. Although she is not dancing competitively anymore, her teammates appreciate her dance moves in the locker room.