Lynn Classical senior Josh Cheever, a two-time Northeastern Conference All-Star football player, will attend St. Anselm College in New Hampshire.
Cheever signed his national letter of intent last Wednesday.
Cheever, who is 6-foot-2 and weighs 240 pounds, is projected as a defensive end or tight end for the St. Anselm football team that plays in the Northeast-10 Conference.
Cheever considered Bentley, Merrimack, Stonehill, and Framingham State before accepting a substantial academic/athletic scholarship from St. Anselm.
“I really liked the atmosphere at the school and the coaching staff and it has really nice facilities,” said Cheever. “I’m excited about the opportunity to play college football and study Criminal Justice and eventually pursue a Master’s degree in that field.”
Cheever transferred to Classical from Tech prior to his junior year. He became a two-way starting player for coach Tim Phelps and was the recipient of the Boley Dancewicz All-American Award at the banquet. He is an honor roll student who is taking Advanced Placement courses.
Cheever is also a starting center for the Lynn Classical basketball team that is gearing up to make a run in the State Tournament.
“Josh has had an excellent high school experience, both at Tech and Classical,” said 6-foot-4-inch Joe Cheever, Josh’s father. “I think both high schools really helped him a lot.”
Joe Cheever played basketball at Classical where he once competed against future NBA player Patrick Ewing of Cambridge Rindge and Latin in a scrimmage. His uncles, Don and Ron Cheever, played on the same Classical football team with legendary athlete Harry Agganis.
The proud father said he encouraged Josh and his brother, Corey, a Classical graduate, to compete in sports. In fact, Joe Cheever coached his sons in the St. Pius CYO basketball program. Josh and Corey also studied karate.
“They understood that playing sports helps keep you off the streets, out of trouble, and gives you a chance to make new friends,” said Cheever. “You also learn respect and discipline through sports.”
Those lessons learned from Joe Cheever and Lynn coaches such as Marvin Avery, Mackenzie Charles, Gary Sverker, Tom Grassa, and Tim Phelps set the foundation for Josh Cheever to make his mark as a high school athlete and earn a college scholarship.