Meet The Brothers

By Suzanne Guerin
Collegian Staff
April 25, 2007

Between his time spent on any one of La Salle’s many athletic fields and the work waiting for him in his office in the Hayman Center, Collegian was able to spend a few minutes with Brother John Kane.

C: Where are you from?

JK: I was born in Lansdale, Pa. and lived there until I was in eighth grade. Then my family moved to Maple Glenn, Pa., and I attended La Salle College High School.

C: Where did you go to college and what was your major?

JK: I graduated from La Salle in 1980 with a degree in political science. I also have an M.A. from here in religious education.

C: What did you do before you came to La Salle?

JK: I worked in a few different high schools. I taught religion and history at Seton-La Salle, when it was a Christian Brothers school, in Pittsburgh. Then I was the Dean of Students at Archbishop Carroll in Radnor, Pa. At West Catholic I was the Athletic Director. Right before I came to La Salle, I worked with Brother Bob Kinzler in the St. Gabe’s system, as an advocate for them in Philadelphia Family Court.

C: What do you do on campus?

JK: I’m the Director of Academic Support Services for Athletics.

C: What does that mean?

JK: I do a variety of things, including monitoring athletes’ academic progress, arranging for tutoring if necessary, ensuring that we are in compliance with NCAA regulations, orchestrating education programming and academic advising.

C: What do you do for fun?

JK: I have always loved sports, so I have been continually involved with them in one way or another, including coaching and moderating, since I was a kid. I go to many of our students’ games because, while it can seem like part of the job, I truly enjoy watching our teams play. When I have the time I like to relax at the beach, and I enjoy reading.

C: What are you reading now?

JK: My favorite type of book to read is science fiction/fantasy. Right now I’m finishing up a series by Kate Elliot. I’m working on the last book which is titled Crown of Stars; it’s a fantasy epic, and the series has the same name.

C: What is your favorite memory from a foreign country?

JK: I loved being with my family in Ireland. About 13 of us made the trip together two yeas ago. It was great to be in a place where our family has so much history. Visiting Ireland was one of my goals, so being there was a wonderful feeling.

C: If you could travel to one place, where would you go?

JK: I’m interested in going to Rome. I think it would be an exciting trip and a beautiful place to visit.

C: Tell us something interesting about yourself.

JK: Well, I’m one of nine children. I have four brothers and four sisters. Two of my brothers are also La Salle graduates, as is my father. Last year, my nephew Kyle became a La Salle graduate, the third generation in our family.

C: What are you looking forward to most about summer?

JK: I am definitely looking forward to nice weather. And I’m looking forward to getting a chance to relax a little more. Hopefully, I’ll have the opportunity to spend some time at the shore.

guerins1@lasalle.edu