On Friday, Nov. 12, 2010, Plymouth Whitemarsh seniors Colin Joka and Gryphin Kelly were recognized for signing letters of intent to accept scholarships to play lacrosse at the collegiate level.
“This is our third Division One signing in the last two years,” PW coach Phil Chang said. “It’s good for our young kids to see what it takes to be the best. These kids really lead every day. The best part about both of these kids is they’re there every day, and they’re coachable kids. They don’t act like they’re the best player in the world. They show up at practice every day and try and get better and better. Both of them are very humble.”
Colin Joka – Marist College (Lacrosse)
Major: Criminal Justice
Final list of colleges: Marist, Delaware, Drexel
Reasons for choosing Marist: “The campus is beautiful, everyone there is nice, and it made me feel right at home as soon as I got there.”When did the idea of playing collegiate lacrosse become a reality? “When I was young, I always dreamed of playing college lacrosse, but I didn’t think it would happen until I got to high school. I put forth a lot of effort to get to where I am and started getting looks from colleges. I played club lacrosse, and I play all year round.
“It feels great. I’m so happy it’s done.”
Coach Phil Chang says: “Colin came to us in ninth grade as a super-gifted lacrosse player. To his credit, he plays lacrosse all year round and trains all year round. He’s got exponentially better since his ninth grade year. I honestly think he’s one of the best lacrosse players in the area, and he could have gone anywhere he chose to.
“Colin has great instincts, he has one of the best skill sets I have ever seen. He has an unbelievable shot that every coach in the area knows about. He puts the ball in the net – he had 60 goals last year and broke our school record. He will probably break the career record as well. He’s pretty lethal with his stick. I think Marist is a great fit for him academically, personally and lacrosse-wise. He’s going to be a huge asset to that program.”
Gryphin Kelly – Hobart College (Lacrosse)
Major: Undecided, possibly secondary education or business
Final list of colleges: Hobart, Sienna, Marywood, St. Joe’s
Reasons for choosing Hobart: “They threw a lot of money my way, and that helps a lot. It’s up north, and I really like that weather - I like the cold. It’s Division One, which is nice since it’s the only D-1 sport in the school. All the others are D-3. Hobart also had the majors I wanted, and it seemed like it has a lot of support for the players. The coaches were awesome, my overnight was awesome, and all the guys were really nice. It worked for me.”When did the idea of playing college lacrosse become a reality? “I started thinking about playing college lacrosse my sophomore year but never Division One until my junior year when I started to think maybe I could get into a Division One school. I started getting e-mails from different coaches, I started going to more showcases, which came from making the Rebels club team. Playing club was really important. It really got my name out there, and it got me in good tournaments playing against good players.
“It’s a big weight off my shoulders. My friends are looking at schools and worried about applications and getting accepted, and I’m done. It’s nice.”
Coach Phil Chang says: “Gryphin has a tremendous work ethic, and he just has a great desire to be great. He has been working extremely hard to be a face-off kid, and he hasn’t gotten a ton of time because we had a kid who went to Ohio State last year who was our face-off kid, but he’s patiently done everything that’s asked of him.
“He played middie for us, and this year I think he’s going to dominate. I don’t think we’ve lost too many face-offs in the last three years, and I don’t expect to lose many this year with Gryphin taking them for us. He’s a great team player, and whatever role we’ve asked him to fill, he’s done it with all his effort.
“Gryphin trains all year and works out with many different coaches, face-off guys, so he can be the best. He’s really going to a great school in Hobart, and I think he will contribute right away.”
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