Apr 11, 2016 5 min read

Dean Kenefick always wanted to be at Villanova University.

He made that happen after graduating from Trinity High School nearly 26 years ago.

Since then, Kenefick has lived there, educated there, worked there, loved there and now has taken center stage there with the NCAA champion Wildcats’ basketball team.

A little more than a week ago, Kenefick was seated along press row as Villanova’s Associate Athletics Director for Communications, when Villanova upended North Carolina on a buzzer-beating shot for the program’s second national basketball title and first since 1985.

“Basically, we’re sitting there in the media area,” he said. “Of course, there is no cheering. It was a little different with everything going on. I was trying to remain calm, like I always do. I must admit, when the final shot went in, we went a little crazy. But it didn’t take long to return to work mode again.

“I did have to ask myself if this is really happening. It was an amazing moment. We got to celebrate a little bit.”

Before getting players and coaches lined up for interviews and postgame requirements, Kenefick pulled his phone from his pocket and found he had 161 unanswered texts since the thrilling, victorious finish.

“It was like, ‘Wow,’ ” he said. “It was really cool. It was really nice so many people were thinking of me and sending their best and congratulations.”

Kenefick is in his ninth year as Associate Athletics Director for Communications. Before being promoted to an Associate Athletics Director, he was the Assistant Athletics Director for Communications from 2002-07.

He was left wondering during the Final Four if he was really supposed to be there.

“I was flanked by two secret service members during the semifinals,” he said. “Vice President (Joe) Biden and his wife were sitting close to me. And I saw other well-known people. It was surreal.”

In his role, Kenefick oversees all aspects of Villanova’s Media Relations Department. He is in his 20th season as the contact for the football and women’s basketball programs. In 2015, he began his 11th year as the sports administrator for the women’s lacrosse program and seventh as the day-to-day administrator for football. Kenefick served three years as a member of the Big East women’s lacrosse championship committee and began the first of a two-year stint as a member of the Big East golf championship committee in the spring of 2016.

Kenefick’s work was recognized on a national level on a number of occasions. His football media guide was twice voted the top publication in the nation at the FCS level and his football game day program finished in the top three on two occasions.

A 1994 graduate of Villanova with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Secondary Education and a minor in Geography, Kenefick earned a master’s degree in Education from Villanova in July 1999. He was named Director of Media Relations in the fall of 1998 after serving as the Assistant Director from 1995-98.

Kenefick and his wife, Stacey, reside in Drexel Hill, with their daughters, 7-year-old, Hailey and 4-year-old, Hannah.

Family played a huge role in the national championship experience for the Keneficks. Stacey, a high school girl’s basketball coach in New Jersey, was able to join her husband in Houston.

Kenefick’s parents, Kathy and Dean – who live in Washington – watched the girls. Stacey drove the girls to Washington and flew to Houston the day before the semifinals win over Oklahoma.

Her husband then urged her to stay for the title game. She did but flew out of Houston last Tuesday morning at 4:45 to Orlando then to Pittsburgh before picking up the kids in Washington and driving back home, a five-hour trip.

“It was pretty crazy,” Dean Kenefick said. “But I am glad we got to experience this together.”

It didn’t end there as Haley joined her father for the victory parade held Friday in Center City in Philadelphia with an estimated 70,000 people.

“It was amazing to see all those people,” Kenefick said. “It blew us all away.”

The moment and experience touched Kenefick and will be an indelible part of his memory.

“As I look back over the last week, I am truly thankful and appreciative to be part of such a special week. It was an experience that provided me with memories that will last a lifetime,” he said.

“It was extra special that I was able to enjoy the experience with family and friends.”

Kenefick said he will continue to strive for gaining more responsibility professionally, but he won’t say being an athletic director of a university is something he yearns to be.

“You never say never,” he said. “A lot of being an athletic director has to do with development. I love the interaction with players and coaches. I can’t imagine not having that daily contact.

“Right now, we are all just enjoying this moment.”