FAIRLESS HILLS – Ben McDannell was sorting through his lengthy list of potential Division 3 schools this fall when Franklin Pierce University suddenly entered the picture and offered him a lacrosse scholarship.
Steve Shelinsky caught the eye of the University of Pittsburgh coaches by putting up impressive numbers on the AAU circuit and at last summer’s Carpenter Cup competition.
On Thursday, both Pennsbury seniors signed letters of intent to accept scholarships to play their respective sports at the collegiate level.
“It’s a lot of fun,” McDannell said. “I knew I was going to play somewhere. I figured it would be Division 3 because that’s all I was looking at.
“When Franklin Pierce turned up, it was just the perfect time.”
Coach Dean Curtis knew he had a special talent on his hands the moment McDannell, a first team all-league defender last spring, stepped onto the lacrosse field.
“When Ben came in as a freshman, we just knew he was going to be one of those special players,” the Falcons’ coach said.
Thursday’s signing was the first ever for the Pennsbury boys’ lacrosse program in its seven-year history.
“When we saw Ben at a young age coming in, we said, ‘This kid as the potential to do it,’ but every kid might have the potential,” Curtis said. “Whether they’re willing to put in the work actually required is another question.
“Ben has always been the kid who’s put in that extra work.”
On the college front, former Falcon – Joey Caven (Class of ’04) - is playing at Hofstra as a walk-on.
“When you look at the progression – the other kids in the program look at that, and they realize the potential is there now,” Curtis said. “We have been talking about it for years, but now somebody actually went and did it.
“Now the proof is there.”
McDannell, who played ice hockey for 11 years, was introduced to lacrosse in sixth grade.
“My friends told me about it,” he said. “I played for Lower Bucks, and it kind of took off from there.”
A gifted defenseman, McDannell made the top middle school team in eighth grade and was a swing player on the varsity as a freshman. He stepped into the starting lineup as a sophomore and never left.
“He’s one of those kids – he has athleticism, he has lacrosse IQ, he’s a hard-working kid, and he has all the intangibles – all the things anyone would want in a player,” Curtis said. “Usually you get three or four from any one kid, and they’re lacking a couple. Ben has all of them.”
McDannell plays lacrosse for the Arrowhead Lacrosse Club, which is run by Curtis, and the idea of playing in college was firmly planted when – during the summer of his sophomore year – he attended Top Star Lacrosse Camp at Gettysburg College.
“I was scouted by a bunch of coaches there,” he said. “I made the top 40 team from the camp.
“Letters started coming in the mail, and I was like, ‘I guess I’ll play lacrosse in college.’”
Franklin Pierce is coached by Kevin Pezanowski, a former assistant at Ohio State when Curtis played lacrosse for the Buckeyes.
“It’s a smaller school, so the class size is smaller,” McDannell said. “All the guys on the lacrosse team were really cool.”
There is also a ski slope in the middle of the campus.
“I’m a big snowboarder, so that was a big plus,” McDannell said with a laugh.
McDannell will major in marketing/graphics communication.
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Shelinsky caught the eye of Pitt’s coaches while playing for David Amaro’s Bandits AAU squad - Dave is the brother of Phillies General Manager Ruben Amaro Jr. But it wasn’t until the Panthers put an offer on the table that he could exhale.
“When you’re talking in the early stages, it’s ‘When am I going to get that offer?’” he said. “When it came, I was pretty happy.
“I took some time to think it over, I talked it over with my parents, and I was actually very excited. It took a load off my chest.”
Shelinsky chose Pitt over a short list that included West Chester.
“Talking to Sean Moran sold me on it,” he said of Pitt’s assistant coach who is in charge of recruiting. “The way their program is being brought up – the younger classes are going to be the strong class.
“As long as I work hard, I do have a good chance of starting my freshman year.”
A gifted outfielder, Shelinsky has been a varsity starter since he was a sophomore.
“Steve has all the tools,” Pennsbury coach Steve Nielson said. “He can run, he can throw, and he can hit with power.
“He’s pretty versatile and could play a variety of positions.”
Shelinsky has played just about every sport and, in addition to baseball, has competed in basketball, ice hockey and even football for a few years.
“Going into ninth grade, I decided I wanted to stick with baseball,” he said.
It’s been a good choice.
As a junior, Shelinsky received third team all-league honors.
“I didn’t have as good a season as I would have liked, so coming into the Carpenter Cup and showing off a little bit more of my skills than I had a chance to show off during the (high school) season proved to me that some of the stuff must be mental,” he said.
Nielson is expecting big things from his senior standout.
“We’re looking for him to be a leader and just be comfortable and happy and go out there and play,” the Falcons’ coach said. “I don’t want to put too much pressure on him, but he’s slotted to be one of our top guys.
“I’m happy for him. He’s a good student, and he has an opportunity to get a nice education. Obviously, the University of Pittsburgh is getting a pretty good player, and that’s what it’s all about.”
Shelinsky is working hard to ensure that the 2008 season will be a good one for both himself and his teammates.
“Always shoot high and try and work hard,” he said. “Right now I’m lifting at Manto’s Big League 30 Club, working out and trying to get ready for the season.
“We have a very strong team coming up.”
A strong team that will look to Shelinsky for positive leadership.
“The thing I like about him – he loves the game,” Nielson said. “He’s always playing. He’ll put a lot of time in.”
That’s one thing that won’t change when Shelinsky gets to Pitt.
“I always love to work hard,” he said. “I’m really looking forward to getting some playing time my freshman year. I’m excited.”
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