Mark Kenney
Fennimore, Wis.
Class of 2026
Why did you choose Central?
I chose Central because of the great academics while also having the chance to continue to play baseball.
Favorite professor and why?
My favorite professor would have to be Dr. Martisovits. His class is always very engaging, and he encourages his students to be the best version of themselves.
You’re majoring in Engineering and Physics because?Â
Engineering and Physics because I like problem solving, critical thinking, and understanding how the world works at a fundamental level.
Besides athletics, what else are you involved in on campus?
My schedule is very full of both baseball and the homework required to graduate. So, I really have not attempted to participate anything else on campus.
Who are your go-to musical artists?
My go-to music artists include Tyler Childers, Chris Stapleton, Morgan Wallen, Zach Bryan, or any kind of slow country.
How has attending Central and playing a sport impacted your life?
Attending Central and playing a sport have definitely taught me how to manage my time. Both baseball and school are time demanding and being able to manage when to do my homework around my baseball schedule was something that I had to learn early. It has also allowed me to make several good friends across all of the athletes campus.
Why are Wisconsin cheese curds better than Iowa?
As a self-proclaimed cheese curd enthusiast, I can confidently say that Wisconsin cheese curds are on another level compared to Iowa’s. Wisconsin’s deep dairy roots, high-quality milk, and expert cheesemakers make a huge difference in taste and texture. Since the state produces more cheese than anywhere else in the U.S., fresh curds are super easy to find, and that signature squeak—proof of freshness—is unbeatable. Plus, Wisconsin has mastered the art of frying cheese curds, creating the perfect crispy, gooey bite. In Iowa, fresh curds aren’t as widely available, and the cheese-making tradition just isn’t as strong. With more Master Cheesemakers than anywhere else and a culture that truly appreciates great dairy, Wisconsin simply does cheese curds best.
Why did you pick Hip Hop Hooray as your walk out song?
I chose Hip Hop Hooray as my walkout song because it is a good song with a good vibe to it.
Take us through the most important parts of your pre-game routine.
My pre-game routine is very boring, I don’t really have any superstitions other than having to put on my left sock first and tying my left shoe/cleat first. Don’t ask me why I do this because I don’t even know why, just can’t change up the mojo now. After I do that, I like to take a short jog to get my blood flowing. Other than that, my pre-game routine is the same as my practice routine.
Teammate who needs their own camera crew for a reality tv show?
I would say the whole sophomore class would make a great reality tv show. That class is full of a bunch of characters that would definitely make an interesting watch. Half of the time if you were a bystander who has never interacted with them, you wouldn’t be able to understand a word they say.
Favorite TV Show
My favorite TV show is either Ozark or Yellowstone.
What’s it like to play for Coach Carey?
Playing for Coach Carey is very fun. He is always willing to listen to player feedback and I feel like he does a good job at making connections with each of his players. He does hold us to a very high standard, and this can be frustrating at times but in the long run I think it’s good for us.
What’s your favorite part about being a member of the Central baseball team?
My favorite part about being a member of the Central baseball team has to be the relationships that I have made with my teammates.
What do you hope to be doing 10 years from now?
I hope to be employed somewhere.
Favorite food from Central Market
CTO Turkey Bacon Melt.
Bucket list
The number one item has to be to visit every MLB stadium.
