Kennedy senior headed to Pittsburgh on athletic scholarship

By the time Carly Thea was 9 years old, the now Kennedy High School senior knew that softball was the sport for her, and over the years her commitment to the game has grown. On Wednesday, Nov. 10, the Merrick native signed a letter of intent to continue playing the game that she loves at the University of Pittsburgh. She received a full athletic scholarship to the school.

The center fielder had narrowed her college options to a handful of schools before finally deciding on Pittsburgh. Visiting the school, Carly said she felt comfortable with the coaches and team and loved the city feel of the campus. “I’m still shaking. I was just so happy,” Carly said after signing her letter of intent.

Carly was joined by her parents, Stace and Peter, her younger brother, Alec, and Kennedy administrators and staff members. The fact that Pittsburgh is only about a five-hour drive was an added bonus, Stace and Peter said. That combined with the fact that Pittsburgh is in the Big East will allow Carly’s family to see many of her college games.

Carly’s parents said they could not have been more proud of their daughter. “It’s almost indescribable,” Peter said. “Sports have somewhat defined her life.” Stace added that the opportunity to play softball at a Division I school was a dream come true for her daughter. “When [dreams] come through for your child, you’re just over the moon,” she said.

Kennedy athletic coordinator Craig Papach said that having a senior sign a letter of a intent gives younger students a goal to aim for. He added that Kennedy’s athletic program continues to grow stronger. Carly is the fourth student in four years to go on to play a sport in college. Papach noted that college athletics require a huge commitment. “You have to be an elite athlete and do it the way Carly did it,” he said. “She’s very, very focused.”

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