Education still important to K's Phillips

Education still important to K's Phillips

Click here to read Blake Sebring's story on the News Sentinel website.

When Bobby Phillips was growing up, his father used to take him to hockey games. He encouraged his son to study the systems teams used and how the best players worked the game. Away from the rink, the father also urged his son to keep working on his grades.

“My dad played hockey and then went back to college, and he really stressed to me how important it was to get my education first because it was hard for him,” the rookie Komets defenseman said. “He blew out his knee three times and had to retire. He was banking on making a career out of hockey, but he had to go back to school after my sister and I were already born. He really stressed to me going to school first.”

Most younger fans probably figure Phillips has it made as a defenseman with the Komets. He may be living their dream of playing for Fort Wayne, and they may figure Phillips must be done with school, but he's still hoping to continue his education.

Phillips majored in biology at Mercyhurst College, graduating with a 3.47 grade-point average. He considered going to medical school, but now is contemplating taking nursing classes at IPFW. That's a tough academic schedule, but it is possible. Former Komet Rob Guinn took nursing classes while he played with the Komets.

Phillips was born in Erie, Pa., where his father Bob played pro hockey, but came to Fort Wayne at age 2 when his father signed with the Komets. Bobby Phillips started playing hockey at McMillen Park Ice Arena at age 3 1/2 .

After moving to Indianapolis, Phillips started playing junior hockey in St. Louis halfway through his senior year at Indianapolis Cathedral. He'd drive to St. Louis after classes on Wednesday night to practice with the team on Thursday and Friday and play on Saturday and Sunday before driving home to resume classes on Monday. After graduating in 2004, he played in Toledo where he re-teamed with former mite teammate Lincoln Kaleigh Schrock.

After one year in Toledo, when the chance came to go to college at Mercyhurst, Phillips never hesitated.

“My mom is a registered nurse, and my best friend's mom is a doctor, so I've always been around the medical field,” he said. “I took a few business courses, but this just seemed like the natural spot for me.”

His intelligence also helps him on the ice, particularly in his game preparation. There's time management, focus and other solid habits he has developed in academics that also work in hockey.

“If something were to happen and I couldn't play hockey anymore, I know I need a backup plan,” he said. “Hopefully I can get established here and take classes at IPFW and have that degree ready for when I'm done playing.”