Sweeney played key role for Hopkins football team

Kale Sweeney recently completed an outstanding career as a member of the Johns Hopkins University football team.

Sweeney, a Parkland High School graduate and the son of former Panther Valley High School graduates Cathy and Jack Sweeney, has been a four-year starter for the Blue Jays, serving as the team's captain this past season.

A 6-1, 235-pound defensive lineman, Sweeney was third on the team with 61 tackles. He was also the team leader in both sacks (5) and tackles for loss (10).

Sweeney's big season helped Hopkins compile a 10-0 regular season record and earn a berth in the NCAA Division III playoffs. Hopkins lost to St. John Fisher, 23-12, in the opening round of the playoffs.

In addition to his success on the field, Sweeney excelled in the classroom as well earning Division III Academic All-American status. He was one of just 44 student/athletes in the entire country to receive that honor.

Sweeney finished his career with 194 tackles and 12.5 sacks. During his four years as a member of the football program, Johns Hopkins won the Centennial Conference championship three times and played in the NCAA Division III playoffs twice.

Sweeney has been accepted to the Bloomberg School of Public Health Graduate School at Hopkins.