While most athletes struggle to get a spot on a college sports team, senior Callan Keefe earned two. Her dual-sport commitment to Roger Williams University reflects years of consistency and dedication. In NCAA Division III, only around 6.3% of female athletes take on this challenge
From the years of work in high school to the long awaited recruitment process, Keefe, with help from her teammates and coaches, initiated a noteworthy path for her college career.
“I am excited that Callan has decided to pursue this type of challenge,” girls’ lacrosse coach Phillip Schneider said. “She developed her skills over the years and became a very reliable defender. As you know, this was evident to other teams in the conference as she was selected as the ECC player of the year.”
Prior to her upcoming lacrosse season, Keefe has collected 96 varsity points, 42 assists, and a shooting percentage that has grown from 42.9 percent to 54.5 percent.
Keefe not only manages the typical student-athlete schedule, but stays at the top of both of her sports. In lacrosse, she’s played varsity since freshman year, and will be captain for her upcoming season. For field hockey, she rose to the top very quickly. She played junior varsity her first year ever playing as a freshman, quickly progressing to varsity her sophomore year, eventually becoming a varsity captain.
“She has put time into both sports to make herself the best player she can be and has excelled in both,” girls’ field hockey coach Amy Lloyd said.
Keefe stands out in field hockey, even gaining a title as “2025 Domino’s ECC Field Hockey Player of the year.” Turns
out Domino’s doesn’t just know their way around a pizza- they how to spot a talent too.
Keefe fell in love with RWU from the start, ever since she was first introduced by a visit in her freshman year. Since then, it has always been her top choice. As for her college career, Keefe doesn’t expect much trouble from the possible overlap of sports and schooling. She explained how she expects her sports to keep her on track and give her stability and routine.
“I know that a lot of times freshman don’t play in college, so I want to push myself really hard to get some opportunity on the field and show that I can be there,” Keefe said.
On her official visit to the school, the coaches told her about some athletes who have previously done both sports.
“They said that it’s definitely going to be hard, but that it was pretty manageable. It’s great to know that other people have done it before you,” Keefe said.
While initially being recruited for lacrosse, Keefe’s mom introduced her to the opportunity to also play on the field
hockey team. On board with the idea, Keefe and her mom reached out to the coaches in her junior year. Eventually, on her official visit, she had the chance to meet the lacrosse team and the coaches. Callan said she was, though very nervous, also filled with excitement. She described them as kind and very welcoming, an extra sparkle to the recruitment.
Senior Maddie Summers, who has been playing alongside Callan in lacrosse since 4th grade, had nothing but the best
to say about her as a teammate and friend. She said the double commitment, though a challenge, was completely manageable for Keefe.
“She’s very consistent with everything she does. She’s always moving her body, and she’s always moving toward one of her sports, if not both,” Summers said.
Summers said this is the key to her success. It is obvious that Keefe has nothing but support from Summers as her best friend and long term teammate. She concluded by saying she is, though bittersweet, excited for their last season
together. She knows it will be a good one.
Keefe undoubtedly stood out amongst her peers for this achievement. Her abilities, time management, and leadership skills she learned and practiced throughout her high school seasons have prepared her for this path.
