Aedan Cassidy is a senior captain on the Lake Forest High School football team. On October 5, 2025, Cassidy announced his commitment to Denison University in Granville, Ohio. Denison’s Division 3 program boasts a strong set of coaching and academic opportunities for its students.

According to Cassidy, choosing Denison was an easy decision to make because of their welcoming community that was apparent when he visited the school.

Not only does the atmosphere draw Cassidy to Denison, but there is a legacy he wants to follow as well.

“My dad played football there, and my brother is playing lacrosse right now, so it will be awesome to continue that history,” Cassidy said.

Not many LFHS students can say they have a history of family members playing for the same school over the years. This will be a unique opportunity for Cassidy as he enters Denison next year.

LFHS Football Coach, Chuck Spagnoli, had only good things to say about his former player, both on and off the field.

“Aedan was a terrific player for us for three years. His personal dedication and leadership could not be measured,” Spagnoli said. “Our program is built on the shoulders of players like Aedan and several others like him that came before him.”

Along with Spagnoli’s high praise and watching him grow as an athlete as a three-year varsity starter, Aedan’s focus on leading his teammates to success and caring about others on and off the field make him a great teammate and player.

These qualities have been noticed by his co-captains: James Elliiot and Jimmy Scheidler. Having all been captains together for the past year, they’ve gotten to know Aedan’s leadership style up close.

“A guy who you can rely on in school, on the field, and in life. A well rounded person that you wish for in a friend,”  Elliott said.

Both captains have significant praise for his dedication to the team. This stems from the fact that they’ve known him all his life. Both captains mentioned how he’s reliable and helpful as a teammate and a friend.

“Aedan’s an interesting dude, in a good way. I’ve known him my whole life, so I’ve seen him in a variety of aspects, but he’s a guy that I can always count on. As a teammate, he’s always there to reassure me and just help out because that’s the kind of guy he is,” Scheidler said. “As a friend, he’s the same. I mean, for example, he would drive me to practice while I was on my scooter. I didn’t even have to ask, he just did it.”

Beyond his capabilities on the field, Aedan is a very thoughtful friend and insightful person who will continue the values and lessons he learned throughout his high school years of football.

“Football has made me a better athlete and person over the last four years, so I want to keep it in my life going into college. I think strategies to be successful are dedication, passion, and trust in your teammates,” Cassidy said.