When Pat Healey was recruited out of Calvert Hall by Towson University, his father, Kevin, told him he?d have to lead the Tigers to a pair of NCAA tournaments. How else could the general manager of the Baltimore Blast justify his son joining a program that had won just one game the year prior?
That?s just what Pat has done, scoring five goals with two assists in helping Towson (14-1-3) earn a first-round bye in this year?s tournament.
The father-son duo has experienced a wealth of success in their fields. Kevin has helped the Baltimore Blast win three Major Indoor Soccer League titles in four seasons while Pat, a 20-year-old midfielder, has won two prep titles and two national indoor titles.
What?s their secret?
“Why not win? That?s the attitude,” Pat said. “You don?t play a game to lose; you play to win. If you go out to try something, you want to win.”
Because their interests are so similar, the bond between father and son is pretty strong. And they spend plenty of time together. Pat goes to as many Blast games as he can, and he intends to be there for the team?s home opener against Chicago tonight (7:45 at 1st Mariner Arena).
Kevin will likely be there for Towson?s NCAA tournament game Wednesday.
“It?s just a normal day,” said Kevin, who hasn?t missed a Towson game in three years. “I go to a lot of soccer games no matter what because I feel that it?s part of my job.”
He has brought a number of Towson products to the Blast, including current players Steve Fell and Machel Millwood, and commonly recruits in the area.
“That?s not something that a lot of people that can say they can do ? play a professional sport in their hometown,” said Blast coach Danny Kelly, a former player.
Maybe Pat, a junior sports management major, is next.
“He?s coming along great,” Kevin said. “I?m proud of him. I keep telling him to keep playing, and we?ll see where it ends up.”
But Pat knows his current task ? lead Towson through the NCAAs this year, and back to the postseason again in his senior year.
“I?ve got one more to go,” Pat said.
