NOTE: This is a monthly column written by Sports Information Director Jason Knavel. The column is intended as a way to highlight our student-athletes and to give our fans glimpses into the decisions and "behind the scenes" workings of the athletic department. Please feel free to e-mail comments to jknavel@mercyhurst.edu.
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In the span of four years, Mercyhurst quarterback Garrett Kensy has seen it all in his football career. A broken leg as a senior ended his high school career early and probably cost him a scholarship to an NCAA Division I school. After being named the starting quarterback as a freshman at Mansfield University, a broken thumb ended his freshman year after less than two games. And then, a few weeks later, Mansfield announced that they would be dropping the football program. Yet all those things pale in comparison to the news he received Sep. 19, 2007.
Cancer.
It all started when Kensy noticed an abnormal lump and consulted head athletic trainer Mary Ann Love and a team doctor. After tests revealed that something wasn’t normal, he was sent to a specialist, who returned with one of the most fearsome words a doctor can ever say to a patient.
“At 19, you feel like you are on top of the world,” Kensy said. “I was devastated. To see the hurt on my parent’s faces, it was really tough.”
Knowing he might not ever play football again, Kensy was given the opportunity to play in one last game. That contest just happened to be the biggest game of the year – the Gannon game.
“It was a very emotional game,” Kensy said. “My whole family came in for that game and I got to play a little bit on special teams.”
Two days later, Kensy underwent surgery to remove the lump. Eventually, doctors decided to remove his lymph nodes as well, leaving him with a 13-inch scar, and begin chemotherapy. Kensy underwent three cycles of chemotherapy in which he spent 4-5 hours a day for five days undergoing treatment and then receiving a smaller dosage shot once a week for two weeks. Then the process repeats. It’s an exhausting endeavor that weakens a person’s immune system and typically causes muscle atrophy.
Fast forward to 2008.
As soon as Kensy was given his release to begin working out again, he was in the weight room. His conditioning and endurance were the hardest to get back, but Kensy just wanted to be part of the team. But he was again facing long odds to make much of an impact on the 2008 team. Despite the graduation of Mitch Phillis, there were still four talented quarterbacks vying for playing time when fall practice began. And last year’s back-up, Joe Laffey, was expected to be named the starter.
“For me, it was an achievement to come back,” Kensy said. “I was just thrilled to be back on the field.”
Sure enough, Laffey was named the starter. Redshirt freshman Travis Rearick, redshirt sophomore Cody Ladutko, and Kensy were all listed equally behind him. But when Laffey broke his hand in the first quarter of the first game, Kensy wasn’t the one to replace him. Although Rearick threw the ball well, he had three fumbles and head coach Marty Schaetzle decided to replace him in the fourth quarter. But Kensy wasn’t the one to come in. Ladutko played the remainder of the contest and came up two yards short of a come-from-behind victory.
“Travis, Cody and I all do different things well and I respect and understand the decision coach made,” Kensy said. “I played some on special teams, but I was stung a bit that I didn’t get in week one.”
Two days later, coach Schaetzle brought all three quarterbacks into his office and announced the starting quarterback position was re-opened but that a decision needed to be made quickly. Whoever was named the starter needed to get most of the repetitions in practice to be prepared to play every Saturday.
“After that meeting, I got the chance to talk with a few people,” Kensy said. “I realized that I deserved this chance and that there’s no reason that I can’t win the job.”
As the week progressed, Schaetzle saw Kensy throwing well. He had been sharp at the beginning of fall camp, but had struggled with a shoulder injury as the beginning of the season neared. But he was back to 100 percent and by Thursday, Schaetzle announced that Kensy would start.
“After everything I’d been through, I was at the top of the mountain,” Kensy said. “I talked with my dad after the announcement and he was speechless.”
Since that time, Kensy has guided the team to a 2-1 record. He ranks sixth in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference in quarterback efficiency heading into the Lakers’ Homecoming contest with Slippery Rock. And with all the experiences Kensy has had, he knows what to do with this opportunity.
“I thank God every day that I got another opportunity,” Kensy said. “I know it’s cliché, but I want to play every play like it’s my last. One play or one doctor’s visit and it can all be taken away. I don’t care about stats – I just want to win. I respect the upperclassmen on this team and I want to have a great season for them.”