Kennidie Rogers, of Jefferson, recently signed her letter of intent to continue her education and softball career at Robert Morris University.
“I’m so beyond grateful and so blessed and it was just such a really long journey to get here. I’m excited for my next step, as much, as I love Jefferson. It was hard, but it was so worth it,” Rogers said.
Rogers plans on competing for the outfield positions as well as shortstop at Robert Morris.
Rogers was first looking at schools in the southern part of the country like South Carolina, Florida and Alabama.
However, she quickly realized she didn’t know if she wanted to be that far from home and her family. She began to think the long distance wasn’t a good idea and started looking at schools and coaches closer to home. She narrowed her search to around four hours and came across Robert Morris.
“I did all my research and thought oh my gosh, I have to go there, this has to be my school,” Rogers said.
She emailed the coach to come watch her play softball and eventually he did.
Rogers also went to some Robert Morris softball camps and that helped influence her decision.
“Watching the coaches interact and coach the other girls’ of different ages,” Rogers said sealed the deal.
“The campus is super nice and laid out. I won’t struggle going from class to class. It’s decent size and not mega big,” Rogers said on some of the things she likes about Robert Morris.
Rogers likes that she only has to walk 5-10 minutes to class and it’s a lot of easy moving around.
Rogers was also impressed by how amazing the coaches are and how they all work together in different ways and come together like a recipe. The rest of the girls on the team are also funny and Rogers remembers not being able to stop laughing the whole time on her visit and she feels like she fits in great with them.
“I’m so excited, it literally feels like a family, the professors are super sweet and understanding,” Rogers added.
Rogers still remembers the phone call she got and Coach Jexx Varner asked her if she wanted to play at her dream college of Robert Morris.
Her response was “Absolutely.”
Rogers was drawn to softball at a young age after watching college softball players on TV. She saw strong confident women and their mental toughness with the game that even if they made errors or messed up, they kept their composure and didn’t get upset. The players would bounce back and make the next play and high-five each other.
“I loved their positivity and wanted to be like them,” Rogers said.
Rogers first started her love of softball by playing tee-ball in the Jefferson Little League program. Rogers then played briefly in JAGS before switching over to Andover Little League and ultimately her first travel team the Andover Attitudes.
Rogers will play in her fourth season with the Jefferson Falcons high school softball team this spring. Rogers has played with several travel ball teams over the last decade plus and currently plays for the Ohio Stingrays and has been part of the Junior Olympics for the past several years. She currently is on the USA Olympic 17U National softball team and will compete in December for a chance to play in the LA Summer games.
“The connections, I’ve made with so many girls from all over. Girls from Canada and different states,” Rogers said on what she likes about softball.
Rogers says she now has a huge network of family and friends all over.
“I’ve matured a lot in every aspect of life through the game. My mental game is unshakable now. There’s nothing anyone can do or say to me that will disrupt my mindset,” Rogers said on her growth in the sport.
Rogers will now get to play her senior season at Jefferson with a huge weight off her shoulders.
“It means the world. I’m excited for the next chapter and to help other people. A lot of the younger players graduating in 2027 and 2028. I want to help them,” Rogers said on officially signing.
“My goals are to be a leader and help lead the younger girls on the team,” Rogers added on her goals for the upcoming season.
Rogers would like to thank some of the many coaches, teachers, and people in her life that have supported her along the way, including: her family, Julie Jones, Kevin Pratt, Justin Schmitz, Coach Jexx Varner, Tracee McCoy-Jenkins, Natalie Meloro, Craig Smylie her Multi-Media teacher and other teachers and coaches at Jefferson.
While at Robert Morris, Rogers plans on studying Sports Communication and minoring in Sports Management. Her ultimate dream is to work at ESPN as a broadcaster or work with a MLB player as a personal manager.
Rogers is also in theatre as well and will play Jo in the Jefferson High School musical of Little Women. She also plays guitar, piano and sings and hopes to continue to make music in college.
