COLLEGE CORNER: Darius Kinnel ’18

Darius Kinnel ’18 knows the value of finding a great fit. In high school, it was a transfer to the Prep that helped him find the perfect school for him, and similarly, after starting college at the University of Hartford, Kinnel transferred to Jefferson University East Falls for his second year and found a great match.

 

“Jefferson is such a warm and welcoming place, a lot like the Prep,” says Kinnel, a junior accounting major. “I also like that it is so close to home and my friends, including many of my Prep friends. Plus I get to play for Herb Magee, a Basketball Hall of Famer.”

 

Kinnel knows that he is among the lucky ones who get to play for two legendary coaches. ”It’s incredible to be a part of such a legendary Philadelphia basketball history,” says Kinnel. He scored his 1,000th point in the game when Prep coach Speedy Morris recorded his 1,000th victory, and last year was on the Jefferson squad when Magee won his 1,100th game. “I have been a part of some great moments,” he says. “It’s really cool and I look forward to being able to tell my kids about it someday.”

 

Kinnel has very fond memories of his Prep days. Academically, he says that he was very well prepared. “The transition to college was so seamless,” he says. “At Hartford, I was Dean’s List first semester, and then at Jefferson I got a 3.8 and a 4.0 in my two semesters there. The academics at the Prep are second to none.”

 

He has a special connection to one teacher in particular. “Dr. (Chris) Rupertus is my man,” says Kinnel. “He is probably one of my favorite teachers because he is such a cool guy and his American Studies class really made me think. It’s not reading just for the test or for answers on the quiz but for pure knowledge. He made me learn and made me think and helped me expand my knowledge on many things that I didn't know. His class was very important to me in my Prep career and in my life, and he’s such an important teacher because he teaches a side of history that no one else does. It’s a class a lot of kids should take.”

 

Kinnel feels a connection to his Prep brothers, even those from other classes.

 

“When I was at Hartford, we went to play at Duke and when we were there, guys would come up to me and tell me they were class of ’94 or ’80-something and they watched me play at the Palestra,” he says. “That is really cool. I run into a lot of Prep people everywhere I go. I was jogging near my neighborhood in a Prep shirt (I wear a lot of Prep gear) and a guy yelled ‘Yeah Prep.’ That made me think of the brotherhood and the memories that I will have for life. The brotherhood is such an important part of the Prep experience. It is such a beautiful place and it was the best decision I ever made.”

 

Kinnel used his Prep connections to land an internship at KPMG this summer. “I was at the Prep basketball game vs. Roman this winter and Coach Randy (Monroe) connected me to an alum he knew at the firm,” he says. “The Prep connections run really deep.”

 

With Coach Morris retiring, the basketball program is now under the direction of a new coach, Jason Harrigan. Kinnel said that while he is sad to see Coach Morris retire, he is excited about the future of the Prep Basketball program. “I love the way it’s going with Coach Harrigan and the new AD (Dan DeBerardinis). I’ve already spoken to a few kids who are talking about going there. It’s going in the right direction and I think it will continue to be a winning program.”

 

And he knows that he is still part of the Speedy Morris family. “Coach Speedy lives down the street from Jefferson, so I know he’ll be at my games and we can have lunch,” Kinnel says. “I’ll still be able to see Coach Keith (Morris) and his family, plus watch Speedy’s grandsons play at the Prep. They will be a part of my life forever.”

 

Kinnel has been watching the current racial unrest and is hopeful for progress everywhere, including the Prep.

 

“I love the Prep and it is a special place, but things happen everywhere,” he says. “I want to see the school evolve and become more diverse so it can continue to be a safe haven for kids from all over. The Prep is an important place and is the standard for education in this area. It offers things that many places don’t really have. It was the best decision I ever made and I hope it will just get better as it continues to learn and continues to grow.”