Sept. 27, 2011

Consistent with the power and appeal of sport to change lives, UMass Lowell sophomore Adam Keenan, despite playing only one season at UMass Lowell, made an enduring impression on his teammates and coaching staff.

Shortly after his first practice with the Seacoast Mavericks of the Futures Collegiate Baseball League, Keenan unexpectedly passed away from cardiac arrest on June 6.

Keenan's family - father Michael, mother Audrey and sister Christine - will receive the For the Love of Sports Award Friday night at the inaugural Dream of Perfect Games: A Celebration of Sport ceremony at the UMass Lowell Inn & Conference Center.

Tickets cost $50 and can be purchased by calling the Department of Athletics at 978-934-2310 or by e-mailing amy_judge@uml.edu. Proceeds from the event will benefit UMass Lowell scholarships and the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

The For the Love of Sports Award is presented to individuals and/or groups in the Merrimack Valley whose love of sports has produced a lasting impact on others.

Adam Keenan was a three-year player at Lowell H.S. and was named the team's most improved player as a sophomore. After graduating in 2009, he played one season at Franklin Pierce before transferring to UMass Lowell.

"Adam was genuinely the nicest kid I've ever met," said UMass Lowell head coach Ken Harring. "He was always positive. I never saw him in a bad mood. His teammates and coaches truly loved him and his legacy will last a long time."

The ceremony will include the reading of an essay and video presentation titled, Fathers & Sons & Baseball, in tribute to the special bond between Adam and Michael Keenan through the sport of baseball.

Among his influences, Adam listed his father and Ken Griffey, Jr.

The Keenans live in Lowell, Mass.