CENTER VALLEY, Pa. - Lauded for upholding the principles for which the Patriot League was founded - fairness, equality and excellence in academics and athletics, Navy lacrosse standout Patrick Keena (Sr. / A / Vienna, Va.) was the recipient of one of two Patriot League Sportsmanship Awards it was announced by the league office on Wednesday. Boston University women's golf standout Emily Tillo was the other recipient as selected by administrators of the league's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC).

Initially awarded at the conclusion of the 2005-06 academic year, the Patriot League Sportsmanship Award is open to all Patriot League student-athletes, with one male and one female winner selected each year. The Patriot League has established this Sportsmanship Award to recognize and honor those who demonstrate the values of respect and integrity through a specific action ideally directed towards an opponent. Nominees must have consistently demonstrated the values of respect and integrity in his or her daily participation in intercollegiate athletics. Student-athlete or team nominees must be affiliated with a Patriot League sponsored sport during the academic year. Additionally, nominees must be in good academic standing at the time of the award application.

Keena fulfilled a number of roles for the Midshipmen over the course of the season, perhaps none more important that serving as co-captain - a role bestowed upon him following a vote of his peers. He also was chosen by his teammates to wear jersey #40 his senior year in honor of fallen Navy SEAL and former Navy lacrosse player Lt. Brendan Looney, who was killed in Afghanistan on Sept. 21, 2010.

Keena, a 2016 First-Team All-Patriot League attackman, played a key role in guiding the Midshipmen to their second consecutive Patriot League regular-season crown and the program's first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2009. A six-point performance (2G, 4A) against Yale in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament helped propel the Mids to a 13-10 victory over the Bulldogs as Navy moved on to the NCAA Quarterfinals for the first time since 2008.

A four-year letterwinner and two-year starter, Keena led the Mids in scoring in each of the last two seasons. This spring he produced 55 points on 24 goals and 31 assists, finishing the year ranked 16th nationally in assists per game (1.94) and 44th in points per game (3.44). It's the most points scored by a Navy player since Ian Dingman scored 62 points (36G, 26A) in 2004. Meanwhile, it was the 14th-most points scored in program history. Keena is the first Navy player to score 20 goals and deal out 30 assists in a season since newly-named National Hall of Fame Member Glen Miles in 1986 (23G, 30A).

He closed out his career ranked 24th on Navy's career scoring list with 108 points and 11th on the assists leader board with 65.

Keena stood out among the Patriot League candidates after modeling good behavior in the aim of changing the culture of the team. Additionally, he led his squad to work towards a common goal and come together to prepare and play at the highest level. He ensured that all of the team's managers, as well as all players received their participation gifts. Keena was a member of the Captain's Council and led his team in community service projects throughout the year.

Keena graduated over Memorial Day weekend with a degree in history and was among the top 30 percent in his graduating class of 1,088 members in Military Order of Merit. He was commissioned an Ensign in the United States Navy.


### Go Navy ###