Hall of Fame
When most high school student-athletes are looking for a college to attend to continue their careers, a big part of the decision of the process is the stability of the program. For Kevin Camp, the opportunity to help start and build a program was the draw to Cabrini.
Camp was no stranger to jumpstarting lacrosse programs. As a high school student, Camp, who had long played club lacrosse, joined several other students in organizing Great Valley High School’s boys lacrosse team.
Cabrini’s men’s lacrosse program was in its initial phases when Camp and lifelong friend Dave Regn made the decision to attend Cabrini together. Camp split time in net with Kevin Besemer early in his career, as the two would switch at halftime.
It didn’t take long for Camp to establish himself as one of the nation’s best goaltenders. Camp posted a 0.602 saves percentage as a junior but it was his senior season that put him in the record books.
Under first year head coach Pat Scarpello and first year assistant coach Steve Colfer, the Cavaliers posted a 7-6 record, including a 6-4 win over the defending ECAC champion, Wesley College.
Camp recorded 26.23 saves per game, which still ranks third in the NCAA. His 341 total saves on the season are fifth, while his 0.733 save percentage currently ranks 8th in NCAA annuls. Camp surpassed 30 saves in five games during the 1997 season.
“Sometimes it was a struggle,” said Camp. “During my early years, we had a core of 8-10 guys who knew the game but quite a few that may never have played. But our senior year, we really knew each other and knew the game.”
Camp closed his years in net as one of the program’s greats. He still ranks first in all-time save percentage (0.693), single season saves and single season save percentage. His 465 career saves remain fifth on the Blue and White’s career list.
After a successful playing career, Camp made the transition to the sideline, where he has spent the last 12 seasons helping develop Cabrini into a player on the national lacrosse scene. Camp’s background gives him an interesting perspective when instructing Cabrini’s netminders.
Camp has played with or coached nearly every player in the program’s history, including three All-American goalies in
Antonio Massone, Kevin Quinn and Erick Zarzecki.
While no stranger to the benefits of athletics for young people, Camp says that being a part of Cabrini lacrosse goes beyond the discipline, accountability and motivation needed to be successful.
“Our class came and stayed together because we wanted to start something special.” Camp commented. “This program has become a family that is bigger than each individual player with unbreakable bonds forged through tradition, hard work and success.”
