PRINCETON, NJ – When Luke Bonfield was sporting the green and white jersey for the Princeton Academy baseball team, he worked hard and played even harder – making him a contender even as a fifth grader.
Four years later and now the Skillman, NJ native is considered one of the top players in the nation, ranking No. 57 by Perfect Game – the world’s largest baseball scouting service. Fortunately for the University of Arkansas, he will be donning a Razorback jersey next fall.
On Nov. 13, Bonfield officially committed to play baseball for the Arkansas Razorbacks, locally known as the “Diamond Hogs.” However, long before scouts were fighting for his attention, he was running the bases for the Princeton Academy Hawks.
“He was just a great kid; he was always willing to learn and get better,” recalled Princeton Academy Athletic Director Paul Clewell, who is also the head coach of the Academy’s baseball team. “He is the perfect example of a Princeton Academy athlete.”
When he wasn’t running cross country or shooting hoops for Princeton Academy, Bonfield played baseball from his fifth grade year up until he graduated in 2010. Clewell always thought Bonfield had talent, but his suspicions were confirmed when Bonfield was in the sixth grade and excelling as starting centerfield on a team of mostly eighth graders. That year, the team only lost one game and Bonfield ended the season with a batting average greater than .400.
Upon his last year at Princeton Academy, Bonfield batted .800 and had hit two home runs.
Clewell expressed pride for Bonfield, but wasn’t surprised at Bonfield’s success.
“He had a dream and a goal and he worked and continues to work toward it. I knew it was only a matter of time before people started seeing what a really good player he is,” said Clewell.
Bonfield is currently a senior at IMG Academy, a private athletic institute for youth, high school, collegiate and professional athletes located in Florida. Prior, he attended Immaculata High School in Somerville before transferring to IMG Academy for his senior year.
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Princeton Academy of the Sacred Heart is the only independent school for boys in junior kindergarten through grade 8 in New Jersey and is accredited by Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. Located in Princeton, NJ, Princeton Academy is a member of the National and International Network of Sacred Heart Schools.
