Erin Kennedy graduated from Jim Thorpe Area High School in 2003 and earned a host of athletic and leadership awards along the way, securing 11 varsity letters in cross country, basketball and softball.

As a captain on the cross country team, Kennedy led the squad to a 7-1 record during her junior year and a 7-2 mark during her senior season. She was also the Most Valuable Runner during her senior campaign, leading Jim Thorpe to a Schuylkill League Division III championship.On the basketball court, Kennedy received the Coach's Award in both her junior and senior seasons. She received the same honor two years in a row while playing softball and capped her career on the diamond as MVP during her senior season.Kennedy also excelled off the field while at Jim Thorpe, where she was the Senior Class President and Yearbook Editor-in-Chief. Erin was also the Homecoming Queen in 2002 and was the recipient of The Jim Thorpe Hall of Fame's Annual Scholarship Award.Erin graduated from Marywood in 2007 with a degree in Clinical Psychology. Kennedy would continue her academic career at the University of Denver, where she earned a Master's in Sports Psychology in 2009.It was in Denver where Kennedy became involved in the USA Olympic Committee and had the opportunity to work directly with the USOC Manager of Coaching Education. Erin became a part of the USA Rugby program, where as the National Youth Development Manager, her responsibility is to create opportunities for young people to play rugby throughout the United States. She manages, supervises, coordinates and develops rugby programs at all grade levels in rugby organizations nationwide.Along with being the Special Projects Manager for the USA Olympic Committee, Kennedy is also a certified USA Rugby coach and referee. Erin is also the head coach of the Boulder High School girl's rugby team and has been a member of the Boulder Women's Rugby Team since 2009.In 2010, Kennedy worked for the USOC at the Youth Olympic Games in Singapore.Kennedy will be inducted along with other members of the 2013 class, which include the 1987 Jim Thorpe baseball team, Eric Schrantz, Shawn Bradley and Joe Rader at the 24th annual Jim Thorpe Area Sports Hall of Fame banquet to be held on Saturday, August 17 at the Jim Thorpe Memorial Hall. Cocktail hour begins at 5 p.m. with dinner to follow at 6 p.m. The induction ceremony starts at 7:15 p.m. with entertainment to follow at 8:30.Tickets for the entire evening can be obtained by calling Craig Zurn at 570-325-3855/3631, Ron Sheehan at 570-325-4244, Wilmer Redline at 570-325-3073 or Jack Kmetz at 570-325-4923.Next week, the TIMES NEWS will be featuring highlights of the last inductee for the 24th Annual Jim Thorpe Area Sports Hall of Fame, Class of 2013, Shawn Bradley.