On Tuesday, April 21, 2015, William Tennent senior captains Tim Brodhag, John Lucas and Alex Shapiro were recognized at a special celebration for committing to play baseball at the collegiate level. To view photos of the event, please visit the Photo Gallery at the following link: http://photos.suburbanonesports.com/g/042115_signings_mjs#l_img_1897_59_1_11
Tim Brodhag – Philadelphia University (Baseball)
Major: Business
Final list of colleges: Philadelphia University, Wake Forest, Vanderbilt, UNC
Reasons for choosing Philly U: “Philadelphia University was the perfect distance from home, and the business program was perfect for me. Coach (Pat) Horvath has put together a great program that I can’t wait to be part of.”
What was the progression that led you to playing baseball at the collegiate level? “I started out going to showcases my junior year. I saw that collegiate athletics was a possibility and started working for that goal.”
Coach Rick Penecale says: “Tim was a second-year varsity player. He started at second base, and we moved him over to third base his senior year. He’s one of those kids – he’s a baseball junkie. He had the work ethic, the talent, and he just has all the tools. I know Philly U fell in love with him as soon as they saw him. I think he has a pretty good chance to start as a freshman. He’s got the physical tools, he’s got the whole package. He’s one of those kids that really works at being a good ball player. I think he’ll do very well there. We’ll miss him next year, for sure.”
About Tim:
Favorite food: Chipotle
Favorite movie: Remember the Titans
Favorite music: Country
John ‘JW’ Lucas – Alvernia University (Baseball)
Major: Criminal Justice
Final list of colleges: Alvernia, Elizabethtown
Reasons for choosing Alvernia: “The class size, and it has my major.”
What was the progression that led you to thinking about playing baseball at the collegiate level? “Playing every day – I started thinking about playing in college my junior year.”
Coach Rick Penecale says: “The best way to describe J.W. – it’s the reason you get into coaching for a kid like that. He’s so dedicated to what we were trying to do. If we needed him to pitch, he would pitch. Anything we asked him to do he would do. He never asked questions. He always accepted his role, and he worked hard. He always had the tools – he had quick hands, he had great speed, but it never seemed to come together for him. We never took him out of the lineup because he epitomizes the kind of kid we’re getting at William Tennent. Towards the end of his senior year and into the summer, all of a sudden, things came together for him. He became a real valuable player for us. He had a great summer. I think he’s going to do really good at Alvernia. I hope the coach gives him an opportunity. He was a pleasure to coach and the kind of kid that bought into what we’re doing – very dedicated, very loyal. We’re definitely going to miss him.”
About John:
Favorite food: Chipotle
Favorite movie: Gladiator
Favorite music: Country
Alex ‘A.J.’ Shapiro – Philadelphia University (Baseball)
Major: Marketing
Final list of colleges: Philadelphia University, Wilkes
Reasons for choosing Philly U: “It’s close to home and it’s in the city, also the best scholarship and opportunities.”
What was the progression that led you to playing baseball at the collegiate level? “The recruiting process started the summer before my senior year. I started going go showcases and had a chance to play and practice in front of the coaches.”
Coach Rick Penecale says: “A.J. was a second-year varsity player. He’s going to start at the jayvee level, and it might be a good spot for him. I think he might be able to move out and play second base if he gets blocked at catcher. He’s very versatile. He hit in the two hole for us. He could bunt, he could run. He does a lot of things good, and I think if he gets into a program and they give him some time to develop – he might turn into a nice, solid player for Philly U.”
About Alex:
Favorite food: Chipotle
Favorite movie: Sandlot
Favorite music: Tim McGraw
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