Kennedy Running Back Signs With Pace University

Kennedy senior Joey Karo's career as a football star seems to just be beginning, as the Cougar has signed on with the Pace University Setters football program for the fall of 2011.

Karo joins fellow Cougars Carly Thea and Brian O'Gorman as the third Kennedy student to sign on with a college team this year.

Thea signed with the University of Pittsburgh to play softball back in November and O'Gorman signed earlier this month with California State University at Northridge to play volleyball.

"Kennedy High School has come a long way," Kennedy Athletic Director Craig Papach said. "... This past year has been awesome. The attention that our athletes are getting is tremendous. ... It's great for this school, it's great for the community, and most importantly, it's great for the kids."

"As the athletic coordinator I couldn't be more proud of the athletic profile that we've developed over the past couple of years," he added.

Pace is a Division-II program that is looking to improve upon its 2010 showing, and Karo has the potential to be at the center of that improvement. The senior was recruited by several schools, including Muhlenberg College in Pennsylvania, but is confident that Pace is the right school for him.

"Pace just stuck out to me. Once I talked to them, they really wanted me and I just knew it would be a good fit."

Karo was an All-Conference athlete in not just football, but for three consecutive years in basketball as well. As for his four years as a running back on the Cougars football squad, Karo said he'll always remember his days at Kennedy.

"We made the playoffs one year out of the four, which was big for us," he said. "It was a fun experience but I'm ready to move on."

Pace's 2011 10-game schedule opens up on the road against East Stroudsburg.

"It's just a really big experience," Karo said. "I'm very happy that I get the chance to play football for the next four years. I want to make the best of it."