Kern chooses shaft at PSU, not pads at OSU

Like many college freshmen, Mike Kern from Upper Arlington, Ohio, had to make one of the most important decisions of his life last year -- where to go to college.

But unlike most freshmen, Kern's decision involved more than just what was best for his academic career. He had to choose his way of life.

On the one hand there was a football scholarship offer from Big Ten power Ohio State. On the other, an offer from Penn State to play lacrosse.

Kern chose the latter.

"I'd rather do something that I love rather than doing something that I don't love as much," Kern said. "Even though it's not the same atmosphere as playing Div. I football, lacrosse is something I love doing."

Kern said he also prefers lacrosse to football because of it's faster pace while football has more play stoppages. Also, Kern said he enjoys the fact that as a midfielder he would have the opportunity to play offense and defense whereas if he played for Ohio State, he would have only been able to play one.

"It's just a totally different sport," he said. "It's a lot faster pace. It's a fast-pace game."

In addition, Kern said he also chose Penn State because he was pleased with its academic reputation, which had an impact on his decision.

Also, Kern said he sees himself more as a lacrosse player than a football player.

"I fit in more with the lacrosse crowd than I do with the football crowd," he said.

Upper Arlington High School lacrosse coach Ted Wolford said Kern was a good athlete who hit hard in both lacrosse and football. Wolford said Kern may have preferred to play lacrosse because it was a newer sport for him in which he improved dramatically over the years and he became a team leader.

"Lacrosse is a fairly new sport for him. The more he played the better his stick skills became," he said. "Mike was enthusiastic no matter what we were doing. He always gave 100 percent and was someone that we could count on."

Although Penn State midfielder David Washo said he thinks it is important Kern is happy what he is doing, he said it would be "cool" to play football for Ohio State because it does have a larger fan base and more media coverage than Penn State lacrosse.

"Playing Division I football at Ohio State would be an incredible experience because over 90,000 people watch the games," he said. "We are lucky if we get a couple of thousand."

But Kern said he was happy with his decision to play lacrosse at Penn State and he does not think about what might have been.

"I love it," he said. "I wouldn't turn back at all," he said. "I don't regret it all."

During the Oct. 11 Penn State-Ohio State football game, Kern's worlds finally crossed paths.

"I sat in the Ohio State section with my parents," he said. "I still have that Buckeye blood in me."