Kennedy to enter PASD Wall of Fame
PHOENIXVILLE >> The Phoenixville Area School District Wall of Fame Committee will induct longtime educator and baseball coach John “Doc” Kennedy into the PASD Wall of Fame. Ceremonies are slated for Tuesday, May 9, in the front lobby of Phoenixville Area High School starting at 7 p.m.
Kennedy was a fixture of Phoenixville baseball from 1976 to 1998 at the high school and legion levels, his impact so significant the Phantoms’ home field bears his name.
Kennedy was born and raised in Phoenixville. Kennedy started his educational career at Saint Mary of Assumption Elementary School. He later graduated from Bishop Kendrick High School in Norristown in 1958. He then attended West Chester State College and graduated in 1963 with a bachelor of science degree in education. Kennedy continued his education at Villanova University, earning a master of arts degree in 1968, and earning additional graduate credits at Pennsylvania State University.
Upon graduation from West Chester State College, Kennedy began his teaching career at Unionville Area School District from 1964-66. In the fall of 1966, Kennedy returned to his hometown and began teaching social studies at Phoenixville Area Junior High School from 1966-72. He then served as assistant Mike Piazza, a Major League Baseball All-Star catcher with the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets, is pictured with his former head coach John “Doc” Kennedy. Kennedy, a fixture of Phoenixville baseball from 1976 to 1998 at the high school and legion levels, will be inducted into the Phoenixville Area School District Wall of Fame Tuesday, May 9.
principal from 1973-75, then returned to the classroom to teach from 1976 to 1998 at Phoenixville Area Junior High School and Phoenixville Area High School.
Kennedy coached freshman football for 20 years, and was the high school assistant baseball coach from 1976 to 1978. In the spring of 1979, Kennedy was appointed head baseball coach and held that position until his retirement in 1998. Kennedy amassed an incredible record of 323 wins and 99 losses. He also coached the Phoenixville American Legion team from 1980 to 1998. He helped many of his former baseball players go onto the college and professional levels.
After his retirement, Kennedy coached at Villanova University and the Cape Cod Collegiate Baseball
League. He is also an associate scout for the Boston Red Sox and has served in that capacity from 2007 to the present.
Kennedy has received many awards and recognitions, including the National High School Coaching Award, induction into the Pennsylvania American Legion Hall of Fame, Phoenixville Area School District Sports Hall of Fame, Chester County Sports Hall of Fame and the Tri-County Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame.
The Phoenixville Area School District Wall of Fame Committee encouraged all colleagues, friends and family members to join in honoring Kennedy. Immediately following the ceremony, a reception honoring Kennedy will be held in the Phoenixville Area School cafeteria.