From Walk-On to the White House

Story on Lacrosse Magazine's Website

By: Justin Lafleur, Lehigh Sports Communications

Last August, Chris Kiernan had just graduated from St. Albans School in Washington, D.C., and was about to begin college. Within the next year, he would walk on to the Lehigh men's lacrosse team, become the starting goaltender and spend this past summer as a White House intern.

To say Kiernan enjoyed a whirlwind year might be an understatement.

"Public service has always been a part of who I am," said Kiernan, a sophomore. "My mom used to work in public service, and she suggested that the White House internship could be an opportunity to see what public service is like. I applied back in the winter and was fortunate enough to be accepted."

Kiernan's position was with the Office of Presidential Correspondence. While many citizens don't think their voices are heard, Kiernan worked hard to make sure they are.

"Our office helps keep a line of communication open between President Barack Obama and the American people," he said. "Every day, many constituents share their stories, ideas and feelings with the president, and our office helps read correspondence and craft responses to constituents."

Kiernan's internship began at the end of May and ran for approximately 10 weeks.

"This internship was truly incredible and helped me grow in a variety of ways," he said. "I had a unique opportunity to see how the president and average Americans communicate with each other. I hope I've helped the president in getting his message out to the people who write to him."

For Kiernan, it was a quick transition from the end of the lacrosse season, and academic calendar, into his internship. Last school year featured many accomplishments for the Chevy Chase, Md., native. He flourished under the tutelage of Lehigh head coach Kevin Cassese and assistant coach Errol Wilson.

"Going into my freshman year, I did not know what to expect exactly, but I knew that I really wanted to try my best to do well in school and make the team," he said. "I was ecstatic to make the team in the fall, but as Coach Cassese and Coach Wilson always reminded me — and continue to remind me — I should not be content just because I met that challenge."

Kiernan certainly wasn't satisfied. He turned himself into one of Lehigh's most improved players as the 2016 season progressed. His play forced the hand of the coaching staff and Cassese responded by rewarding Kiernan with his first career start at Lafayette.

Kiernan responded by making 11 saves, allowing just six goals.

"Chris came on in a relief role in our league game the previous week against Army," Cassese said. "It was a tough spot for any goaltender, entering while down several goals to rival Army. It was an even tougher spot for a freshman playing his first collegiate game. Chris performed very well and proved that the spot wasn't too big for him. He continued to play well in practice the following week, earned the starting nod at Lafayette and never really looked back."

Kiernan went on to start the final nine games, recording double-figure saves in six of those contests. He also made nine big saves in Lehigh's thrilling win at Boston University.

"The coaching staff pushed me throughout the spring to keep raising the bar, and helped me believe that I could start," Kiernan said. "I definitely think their encouragement was integral in my improvement as a player and a person."

Growth was a common theme for Kiernan in his first year of college, whether it was as a player, student or intern in the White House. He credits his experience at Lehigh as a critical reason for even exploring the White House opportunity.

"I really enjoyed my first-year classes," he said. "Improving as a reader and writer definitely helped give me the confidence to look into the White House internship. Going into the year, I knew that I wanted to explore an internship, but I couldn't have ever imagined being accepted to and going through the internship that I had this summer."

In Kiernan's first year at Lehigh, he posted a 3.70 GPA. He came to the school because of academics, since he wasn't even sure if he would make the lacrosse team. Now that he's here, he's looking to become just as successful on the field as he is in the classroom.

He's off to a good start.

"I take great pride in being able to both pursue a worthwhile degree and compete at the highest level in lacrosse," Kiernan said. "Coach Cassese has instilled a terrific culture at Lehigh that really promotes us to strive to do great, both on and off the field."

While many people may have become overwhelmed, Kiernan continued to challenge himself in all areas.

"What I'm most proud of from my freshman year is the balance I was able to create between school and lacrosse," he said. "I have really improved my time management skills and my study skills while also being able to compete in lacrosse. I also have newfound passions in politics and political theory, subjects that I did not know much about going into the school year."

Entering just his second year of college, Kiernan is already a positive influence to everyone around him.

"Chris is a cool customer, always hard-working and extremely likeable," Cassese said. "He earns the respect of everyone he interacts with because he has passion for everything he puts his mind to. He has always achieved at a high level in the classroom, and he has worked, willed and studied his way into a high-level Division I goaltender. The future is very bright for Chris Kiernan."

Kiernan's present is pretty impressive too, which includes learning first-hand in the Oval Office from someone he's always admired.

"President Obama has been a role model of mine since I first started hearing him speak," Kiernan said. "His compassion for all people and his desire to help as many as he can is truly inspiring. Working in public service interested me, and I am so thankful for the opportunity to intern during his presidency and learn the ins and outs of the Executive Office."

The tangible long-term and short-term benefits from the experience have been countless.

"I have learned how to accurately use various computer programs that have helped me improve my efficiency and time management," Kiernan said. "Not only have these skills proven invaluable to my work at the internship by allowing me to respond to more correspondence each day, but they're also skills that are transferrable to academic work and other future employment."

Kiernan couldn't have imagined his first year of college going much better, and he knows he couldn't have accomplished so much without such a strong support group.

"I am so fortunate to have such a strong support network in my family, teammates and friends that helped me achieve balance throughout the year," he said. "I am really excited to see what sophomore year will bring and I hope to build on the skills and relationships that I developed as a freshman."

"Lehigh is a place for extraordinary people," Cassese said. "Chris is an extraordinary person."

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Lehigh University Athletics

Completed Event: Men's Lacrosse versus Colgate on April 29, 2025 , Loss , 10, to, 14

Completed Event: Men's Lacrosse versus Lafayette College on April 25, 2025 , Loss , 7, to, 12

Completed Event: Men's Lacrosse at Boston University on April 19, 2025 , Loss , 7, to, 12

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Completed Event: Men's Lacrosse at Holy Cross on April 5, 2025 , Win , 10, to, 6

Completed Event: Men's Lacrosse at No. 4 Princeton University on April 1, 2025 , Loss , 12, to, 17

Completed Event: Men's Lacrosse versus Loyola University Maryland on March 29, 2025 , Win , 7, to, 3

Players Mentioned

Chris Kiernan

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