From The Heart: Once A Division I Competitor, Bona's Fr. Steve Now A Beloved Team Chaplain

The 'From The Heart' feature series takes an in-depth look at St. Bonaventure student-athletes and coaches. Named for the beloved Merton's Heart that overlooks campus, this series tells the stories of Bonnies athletic programs on and off the field. Click here for previous installments in the series.

Few careers differ more than serving as a pilot for the United States military and living as a friar for a Franciscan university, yet St. Bonaventure chaplain Fr. Steven Kuehn, O.F.M. has experienced both.

Kuehn, a 2003 graduate and student-athlete who played Division I lacrosse at the United States Naval Academy, entered flight school in Pensacola, Fla., following his graduation. Kuehn flew helicopters for the Navy for the next 12 years before heading down a different path in 2015.

As a lacrosse athlete, he played defensive midfield at Navy. 

During his final two years in the Navy, Kuehn felt himself being pulled in a polar opposite direction. 

“I grew up Catholic and always saw married life as the next step,” Kuehn said. “However, I was going through some dark times and soul-searching, and from that I felt really drawn to the friars and this life. I remember finding out about the friars, and I felt like being a friar was where I needed to go.”

From that point on, Kuehn began his studies at Holy Name Province in Chicago to become a friar. 

His volunteer work has taken him from Missionaries of Charity and Little Sisters of the Poor in Washington, D.C., Greater Chicago Food Depository, Kolbe House Jail Ministry and Marquard Soup Kitchen in Chicago, St. Francis churches in New York City and Milwaukee and more. He was also a volunteer lacrosse coach at a Chicago high school.  

In 2020, Kuehn made his first appearance on the campus of St. Bonaventure through an internship.

Following Kuehn’s year-long internship, St. Bonaventure left a special place in his heart.

“My time was great, but we still had all the [COVID-19] restrictions,” Kuehn said. “[After I left], I was like, man, I love it, I want to come back when there aren’t restrictions. I went back to Chicago to finish my studies, and when you finish your studies, you put in your top choices of where you want to be assigned, and Bonaventure and a place in Maryland near my family were my top choices.”

During his internship time, he also worked with the Bonnies men’s lacrosse team and left the team with a piece of wisdom.

“I remember telling the [lacrosse team] that I wish I could still be in their shoes,” Kuehn said. “There’s something about the college experience and playing at that level. There’s a lot of pressure; you have to perform in class, and you have many responsibilities. Something about competing at the level that I wish I could go back.”

In 2023, St. Bonaventure named Kuehn a university chaplain. When away from the University's on-campus friary or ministry, Kuehn also works with the Bonnies women’s basketball team and can be seen on the team bench at home games.

After Bonnies head coach Jim Crowley invited him to speak to the team in the summer, Kuehn became a regular presence on the bench. 

“[My main job with the women’s team] is just being present,” Kuehn said. “We say a prayer in the locker room about 30 minutes before the game, encouraging all the women. It’s really just supporting them. Of course, we want to win every game, but life isn’t always like that, and it’s important to let them know they are still awesome regardless of the outcome.”

Of all the experiences Kuehn has had over the years through athletics, the Navy, and being a friar, he said, being able to be a part of St. Bonaventure students' life remains one of his greatest blessings.

“[My favorite part of my job] is interacting with the students here,” Kuehn said. “I learn from the students on how they approach life with positivity, creativity, determination, and their commitment. I’ve learned a lot from just being around the students here, and that’s the biggest blessing I’ve experienced. It’s a privilege to be a part of their lives.”