Phinney brothers eye Div. 1 futures
Noble & Greenough athletes headed to Pitt & Michigan
Very few families have a student-athlete playing in the collegiate ranks, at any level.
But the Phinney family has two Div. 1 athletes, and in different sports, no less. A senior at Noble & Greenough, Jackson Phinney is bound for the University of Pittsburgh to play baseball, while his younger brother, Casey, a junior, has already verbally committed to the University of Michigan for football.
A competitive nature has always been part of the makeup of the two stars. At one point, almost to a fault.
“The competition started basically Day 1,” their mother, Alissa, chuckled. “They basically weren’t allowed to play anything together, because everything would end in a fight of some sort. … We had to ban video games. We had to ban 1-on-1 basketball. We had to ban everything. They were able to tone it down a little bit.”
For Jackson, the diamond was home at a young age. From the moment the senior started playing T-ball, he knew he wanted to chase the ultimate dream of playing in the big leagues.
Meanwhile, Casey focused on playing basketball growing up. It wasn’t until he took the field at Marshfield High School his freshman year that he realized the true prowess he exhibited on the gridiron. From there, the choice was easy. He would completely turn his attention to the game of football.
In 2018, the two brothers were faced with a choice — stay at Marshfield, or take a chance and join to the Independent School League. After some discussion, they both decided to start a new life at Nobles.
“It just felt like the right move to make,” said Jackson. “I definitely do miss some things about being at Marshfield, but I think in the long term, it was definitely a better decision to make.”
The switch paid instant dividends for all parties involved. As members of the football team that same fall, Casey became one of the lead running backs for Nobles, Jackson took on a hybrid role as a slot receiver, while contributing in the running game himself. Defensively, the two wreaked havoc for opposing squads, with Casey showing dominance as a linebacker, and Jackson playing safety. Their efforts culminated in a 17-14 victory against Kingswood-Oxford (Conn.) in the Mark Conroy Bowl, as the Bulldogs finished NEPSAC champions.
“They were instrumental,” Nobles football coach Panos Voulgaris said. “And that game, they were both all over the field on defense, and made critical plays in the fourth quarter on offense. Without them, that certainly doesn’t happen. We don’t get there, we don’t have an 8-win season, go 8-1. So the two of them were absolutely instrumental.”
That following spring, Jackson hit .333 for the Bulldogs, finishing 15-for-45 while driving in seven runs. As a catcher, he threw out eight runners, making just one error all season. Nobles finished third in the ISL standings, posting a record of 14-4.
However, it was during an appearance at the Area Code Tryouts in Hartford when collegiate programs truly began to notice Jackson’s abilities. That week, the junior put on a show for the scouts in attendance.
“He walks onto the field in his catching gear, and everyone’s like: ‘Who’s this kid?’” said Nobles baseball coach Rob Murray. “I was at the tryout, just talking to the coaches there. They were really interested, and Pitt was looking to bring a catcher in, and it just kind of worked out that it was a really good fit for Jackson.”
By July 2019, Jackson had received a scholarship offer, and paid a visit to the school’s campus. After a tour, he didn’t need more convincing. Days later, the catcher made his official commitment.
“That was the last summer to be able to get recruited,” said Jackson. “And I feel super blessed that (Pitt) took a chance on me, and offered me a scholarship, because playing in the ACC, playing at such a historic school like that, it’s something truly special, and I’m very appreciative for it.”
As early as his sophomore year, Casey began receiving offers from NCAA programs. The first just so happened to come from a Big 10 school situated in Ann Arbor. Although he was thrilled in the moment,
Casey was undecided on his future plans, and continued to work on his craft.
After being recruited by upwards of 10 different schools, Casey decided to commit to the Wolverines in April, after he sat down for a Zoom call. On the line was Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh and defensive coordinator Don Brown.
“They just made it clear that they wanted me,” Casey said. “They wanted me to be one of their linebackers of the class. They put me through some virtual tour stuff, and it just felt right.”
Jackson has already worked out with numerous MLB teams, including the Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Angels, Pittsburgh Pirates and Texas Rangers. As excited as he was to have those experiences, he is just as much so for the chance to play in the ACC.
“I’m very excited,” Jackson said. “At this point, I just can’t wait to showcase who I am as a player on a bigger stage, and I think being active, just having the incredible coaching staff there, and playing against competition every single weekend is going to be awesome to be able to develop as a player, and really show who I am on the field. So I can’t wait for it.”
As for Casey, he is headed back to the campus in Dedham for one final go-around.
“I’m really looking forward to this next year of high school with all my friends, and playing high school football one last time,” said Casey. “But I’m really looking forward to getting out to college, getting in that system, and being part of the culture at Michigan.”