Kenzie Rooney is the 2025-2026 JVF Athlete of the Year

Kenzie Rooney and Mallory Lisy at the JVF Tryout on November 16th, 2025 (JVF)

New Haven -- For years, the James Vick Foundation Athlete of the Year award followed a familiar path. It recognized dominance. Production. Visibility. The athlete who filled stat sheets, took over games, and stood at the center of the spotlight.

This year, we chose a different path.

As the James Vick Foundation continues to grow, so too must our definition of excellence. We believe the most important athletes in a program are not always the loudest or the most decorated, but the ones who set the tone, through character, consistency, generosity, and example. The ones who give more than they take. The ones teammates gravitate toward without being asked to.

The Liberty Bank Athlete of the Year will now honor the athlete who most fully embodies the values of the James Vick Foundation: humility, toughness, kindness, belief, and service to others.

And there was one choice that stood above the rest.

2025 Liberty Bank Athlete of the Year: Kenzie Rooney

Kenzie Rooney is loved by everyone in this organization, coaches, teammates, families, and staff alike. Not because she demands attention, but because she earns respect every single day.

She shows up early. She competes relentlessly. She treats everyone with warmth and gratitude. She plays with intent, joy, and a maturity far beyond her years.

At practice, she raises the level of her teammates.

At tournaments, she steadies the group. In moments big and small, she does the right thing, even when no one is watching.

Earlier this year, without fanfare, Kenzie organized a lemonade stand to support the James Vick Foundation alongside her JVF teammate and best friend, Mallory Lisy. The fundraiser was a sparkling demonstration of her commitment to community, development, and this organization.

On the field, Kenzie is a fierce, fast, fearless wing defender. She competes against older athletes without hesitation, steps confidently into 1v1 battles, and plays with a level of awareness and composure that elevates everyone around her. Off the field, she is kind, selfless, and universally respected.

Kenzie is the definition of a culture player at the James Vick Foundation.

And she is the 2025 Liberty Bank Athlete of the Year.

Kenzie Rooney, Mallory Lisy, and family host a lemonade fundraiser for JVF this past summer (JVF)

An Interview with Kenzie Rooney

You have a quiet but powerful presence as an athlete. How would you describe the way you approach sports and competition?

I approach sports with intent, passion, and determination. I may not be the loudest player on the field, but I am seen through my actions.

What has your experience with JVF been like so far — on the field, with your teammates, and with the coaching style?

JVF as a whole has been a new experience. It’s like no team I have ever been on. I get to meet girls from around the state and have a wonderful opportunity to play the game. I feel valued and appreciated when I walk in. I know this because my coaches meet me with their bright smiles and their questions about how I am doing. They truly make me feel welcome.

You were born legally deaf, and that has been part of your journey from the beginning. In your own words, how has that shaped the way you see the game, communicate, or compete, not as a limitation, but as part of who you are?

Being born deaf has shaped the way I experience the game in a powerful way. I rely heavily on being alert, watching body language, and anticipation. That has taught me to read the field and my teammates closely. Even when things get loud and chaotic, I stay ready and prepared. Being deaf is not something I see as a limitation. It’s part of who I am, and it has helped me become more focused, adaptable, and resilient as a player.

Was there a moment when you realized, “I belong here...I can really do this”?

There wasn’t one big moment. It was a series of small ones. Each time I kept up with the pace, made a smart play, or stayed composed under pressure, my confidence grew. I realized I didn’t belong just because I was there, but because I was contributing. That’s when it clicked. I can do this. I’ve earned my spot.

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Many young athletes face challenges, even if they aren’t visible. What would you say to someone who feels different or is working through something difficult while chasing their goals?

Everyone is carrying something, even if you can’t see it. Feeling different can be hard, but you can’t let it define you. It needs to become a source of strength. Being deaf has taught me that there is more than one way to communicate, learn, and succeed. Keep showing up. Stay patient with yourself. And don’t be afraid to advocate for what you need.