Coaches Corner: OU Oh Yeah!

In today's post, I had the opportunity to sit down with Coach Kemp, Assistant Basketball Coach at Ohio University, to learn a little about his transition from Toledo to Ohio, and how the 2014-15 MBB is progressing thus far.

Enjoy!

In your last BBB interview (The Madness Never Stops), you were wrapping up your first season at Toledo. Now, you are in your first year at Ohio. Was the transition from Toledo to Ohio challenging?

Challenging, but a good challenge. Moving jobs twice in 10 months has been a lot of work to get accustomed to new surroundings, but it has been fun. Fun because I enjoy building relationships with the players. This group of players have been enjoyable to be around. In addition, the transition to Ohio has been pretty easy because I worked with this staff at NDSU.

We see that this summer was a little crazy with the transition with Coach Phillips, how do you feel going into the 2014-15 MBB season? 

I feel that we have been able to assemble a roster that we can win with. The players have been attentive and willing to learn, and they are a group that has already experienced success in their careers. I really like our young guys as well. If we can keep everything positive the sky is the limit for this group.

Are you ready for a vacation? 

Absolutely. I was actually just commenting to my brother that I haven’t been back to Madison (hometown) in almost two years now. I guess moving will do that to you. Although Madison is nice, I think a warm weather vacation is long overdue. However, we will be traveling to Hawaii in Christmas for the Diamond Head Classic -working trip for me; vacation for Michelyn.

Any comical events occur during recent practices?

Nothing too crazy, but Wadly Mompremier is a funny guy. Also our most improved player to this point. He is making great strides every day...

Oh! There was the time that Treg Setty tripped over his own feet trying to run to the sideline.  That video pretty much went viral in Bobcat land and we had fun with it.

We've got some great personalities on the team so it is easy to have fun.

How are the guys doing in practice?

Just like any team at the beginning of the year, particularly a team with a new coaching staff; we have had some growing pains but they come to work every day and play extremely hard.  We are a week out from our first competition, and two weeks from our regular season opener.  It is important that we continue to improve over these next two weeks.

Which games are you most looking forward to?

I am really looking forward to the tournament in Hawaii. The Diamond Head Classic will be a lot of fun, and it will be great to compete against the likes of George Washington, Wichita State, and Nebraska.  It would be great to play against our former boss Tim Miles.  We all had some great times at North Dakota State, and his team would be a challenge.  They have built a winner quickly in Lincoln.

Will you be writing articles for College Chalktalk again?

Yes! It was a great experience last year and I will be writing five entries for them this year. Chris DiSano of College Chalktalk was gracious enough to invite me back.  I am hoping to add to their video series this year, in addition to guest bloggers for a few entries.  It should be fun!

I hear your wife made you buy green pants, any word if we can see you adorned in a green jacket?

That is a possibility! I do know however, the green pants will not be worn during a game even though I think I look good in Green…Go BOBCATS!

Michelyn

Check out some of the other Coaches Corner interviews:
In Love & Basketball (Allie Clifton Kalsow)
Fit + Well All Over the World (Emmy Smith)
Georgian Princess (Amanda Woodside)

Ohio University Canada Trip Days 5 & 6: To Sum it All Up!

To sum it all up, the trip to Montreal was a success! On day five we were able to tour Olympic Stadium, home of the 1976 Games. This was where Bruce Jenner made a name for himself winning the gold medal in the decathalon. The team got to take pictures outside of the stadium which was great.

The city of Montreal finally paid off their debt for the Olympic complex in 2008, and was a major debt for the city over the course of multiple decades…especially after the Montreal Expos left town. 

As far as our third and final game, we played against Brookwood Elite. It was our most complete performance of the tour, and we were able to play well without Senior guard Bean Willis. 

After the game, we ate at an authentic Lebanese restaurant which was recommended by our tour guide George. It was great food and reminded me of Saalam Restaurant in Athens. After dinner, we got to head up to Saint Catherine’s street which was very unique. There are a bunch of restaurants, vendors, etc… on this street. We were, however, pummeled by a rain storm, but luckily the Marriott had umbrellas for the staff! 

On the way home we got a great view of New York City from the sky. 

What a place that is! 

 When we arrived back at the Convo, we noticed the new banners that have been hung in the center of the arena. They look great! 

All in all, we were very fortunate as a new staff to be able to take this trip. We saw a group of guys come together as a team and gut out three wins, under some pretty difficult circumstances. We cannot wait for the season to start but until then, the Bobcats are CANADIAN NATIONAL CHAMPS!

Go Bobcats
Coach Kemp

Ohio University Canada Trip Days 3 & 4: Crepes, Chucks & Champs

Wow…The last two days have flown by, and have been jam packed with a lot of great events for the Bobcats! Wednesday began with a trip to Quebec City. We drove inside the city walls of Old Quebec. The cobblestone streets reminded us a little bit of Court Street in uptown Athens. The area was filled with shops, vendors, and stands where you could bargain for a deal if you found a souvenir you liked.

 

After our tour of Old Quebec we were off to pre-game meal, and our game against Laval University. Laval had played against Vermont and Indiana in the past few weeks, and were a solid team. Our guys showed a ton of resilience after a long day of travel, and a full schedule of touring. At one point in the game we were up by 17 points and Laval fought their way back into it. We were able to come away with the win. The highlight of the game for me was Wadly Mompremier's efforts on the glass. He came away with 11 rebounds and a bunch of blocked shots. It has been great to see him continue to develop. 

Final Score: 78-72!


Day four was our off day, and we let the guys explore Montreal. We first went to a very famous church in downtown Montreal. The only way you can hold events there is to receive a state order from the Canadian government. Apparantly Celine Dion is a big deal because she had her wedding at this church. Everything in the sanctuary was handcrafted. 

Later in the day, our tour guide George took the coaches out for lunch. We went to Schwart's Deli, and ordered a Canadian smoked meat sandwich. It reminded me of our pastrami or corned beef sandwich similar to what you would order in a New York deli. 

 He also took us to try a crepe ice cream cone. The French influence is definitely here in Montreal! 

When nighttime arrived, our coaching staff had the chance to dine with some great supporters of our program who came to watch us play. We cannot thank them enough for their support! A few of them even brought their shoes, in case we need them for a game!

Today we will tour the Olympic Stadium, where the 1976 games were held. Maybe I can find the exact spot where Bruce Jenner from the Kardashians received his gold medal…Michelyn will be jealous!


Go Bobcats!
Coach Kemp

Ohio University Canada Trip Day 2: Prayers & Wins

First things first…The Bobcats have the best fans in basketball! Our group of travelers almost outnumbered the home team last night!

Day #2 of our trip around Canada began with a drive around some of the nicest areas of the city. Many of the neighborhoods reminded me of our old neighborhood in Toledo, Old Orchard.

Picture taken from tour bus!

The tour was highlighted by a stop at Saint Joseph's Oratory on Mount Royal in Montreal. It was founded by Brother Andre, who was a priest here long ago. It is a massive structure that can seat up to 10,000 worshipers. I still cannnot get over the size of the organ in the back of the sanctuary. People from all over the world come to this church to receive the blessings of Saint Joseph. It was packed! 

It was a great cultural experience for our team, but was highlighted by a family that traveled to Montreal from Asia who recognized Coach Phillips from the NCAA Tournament run at NDSU last year. 

Also, we learned that our very own Wadly Mompremier is fluent in Creole, which is a dialect of the French language. We never knew that until he was speaking to a group of New Yorkers who were originally from Haiti. 

The game last night against Queens University went about like we would expect for a first outing. One great statistical measure for success going forward is that our opponent hit 12 threes, most of them heavily contested and we were still able to win. The guys have listened and processed everything we have preached thus far. 

Final Score: 80-75!

Today we will tour Quebec City, and see how we fare against a very good Laval University team. 

Go Bobcats
Coach Kemp

Ohio Bobcat Canada Trip: Travel Day & Welcome to Montreal!

Greetings from Montreal. I am taking over Michelyn's blog for a few days since she is not in Canada with us, but is enjoying time with Mom Darlene in Athens. We had a very early wake up call on Tuesday morning to get to the Columbus airport. Our connection was through LaGuardia airport which has vastly improved in the last few years. From there we had a short 44 minute flight to Montreal.

So far from what I have seen, the city reminds me of Downtown Milwaukee with a lot more European architecture.

Last night we ate at an Irish Pub that had authentic Irish food. It was great! I guess with all this food I am going to experience, I better stay up on my workouts. Its time to head down to the hotel fitness center! Check in later in the week for game updates! Game #1 is tonight at 7pm!


#ouohyeah
Coach Kemp

The Storm is Subsiding

I have to admit, the last two weeks have brought a whirlwind of emotion. I have finally gotten back into the swing of blogging, which took a backseat especially the first week after we learned that we would be moving to Athens! That first week, I was a mix of emotions.

Tuesday, was most certainly my lowest. I cried about four times throughout the day. Everything moved so quickly for this transition, and I am just now at a point where it has all digested. Now, I am a person that cries when she is sad, mad, happy, excited, hormonal - you name it!

My first crying session erupted during Coach Saul Phillips press conference at about 2:00 pm. He noted that my husband was his first hire, and at that moment, tears of delight came thundering down. Then, the whole press conference simply had me in a tizzy.

My second cry fest occurred later in day, after work when I went for a run. Yes, this lady cried while running! I know, who the hell does that?!?! Well, let me explain. While running, Emily Ryan began texting me a number of Athens-related questions, and I simply became overwhelmed. Now, what in the world was I doing looking at or even responding to text messages, is besides me. Her questions were very appropriate - basically about Athens, schools, the city, etc. but it just got me so flustered because I felt so unprepared for this move. But, I am so happy that I have been able to assist us ALL in this move; whether because I obviously have a little more time on my hands, (I have no little ones running around) or just being a sounding board, or the one that will do some investigating if needed. We have all been each other's assets in this move and I am very gracious to Nicole and Emily!

My third cry fest occurred while watching Dave Richman's press conference at 7:00 pm! This was the ugliest of cries, I might add, but 100% joyous! Coach Kemp and I are beyond enthused for the Richman Family. Coach Kemp and Coach Richman are really close, I mean he was in our wedding! Stephanie took me under her wings while in Fargo, and I am forever grateful for her friendship that continues to blossom. (Ok, I am getting teary-eyed just writing this paragraph!).

Then my final crying session occurred while trying to go to sleep. Many college basketball coach's wives will share that the basketball season is fun, but it is also very long and trying on your relationship and marriage. I was really looking forward to the end of the basketball season to relax, unwind, and celebrate another successful season, but there I was in my bed alone. I felt overwhelmed because hadn't I just spent a few summer months alone in Fargo while Coach Kemp moved to Toledo!?! How in the world were we in this predicament again?!? Luckily, Ohio University is not a long drive from Toledo, so I am glad we are able to see each other on the weekends, but it still is hard especially since he and the rest of the staff are extremely busy re-building the OU team. Currently, they are piecing together the final members of the 2014-15 men's roster which entails lots of travel. And to make matters worse, that first week I believe I was only able to talk to him for a total of 30 minutes! It was absolutely crazy. I had my father and his family members calling me, asking why he hadn't returned their calls, etc. I was like, well I have only spoken to him for like 30 minutes the last few days, so I am not sure what to tell you! I can't even begin to tell you how many phone calls and text messages he was receiving, honestly it was absurd.

So I thank each of you for continuing to visit BBB while I was on a little hiatus. I think I am back to my old self, blogging and not feeling so overwhelmed. I also have developed a to-do list which has subsided some of my anxiety about this move. I knew when we married that each move would become more and more challenging, and owning a home plus our little Prince has added a layer to the logistical planning that predominately lies on my shoulders. Now, do not get me wrong, I would not be very willing to give many, if any, of these responsibilities to Coach Kemp, so that is not a complaint, just the truth. In addition, I am very aware that this move may me a little more challenging than Move #1, but overall, this is pretty simple compared to Nicole and Emily who both have children to consider. So, I will stop my complaining for this post, and simply be happy!

Go Bobcats!

Michelyn

Coaches Corner: The Madness Never Stops

Now that the Toledo men's season is complete, I finally had a moment to interview Coach Kemp for an end of the season interview. Let's hear his perspective of the 2013-14 season, the highlights, disappointments, and his predictions for the NCAA tournament! 

What was the highlight of the 2013-14 basketball season?

Winning a MAC Conference Championship, was most definitely the highlight of this season. I would also say our overall record is something to be proud of. We ended the 2013-14 season, 27-7 which is an all-time school record.

What was your favorite road trip of this season?

Boston College was by far my favorite road game. I really believe that that game brought us together as a program. It of course helped that we won.

What was your reaction when you were named one of the 100 Hottest Coaches in College Basketball by CollegeInsiders?

It was quite hilarious and an honor. I had no clue they were developing such a list...

And, how did you find out?

I am an avid Twitter follower, and I got plenty of twitter messages from friends and others notifying me that I made the list. 

What was it like writing your blog for College Chalktalk this year?

It was a fun experience as I am not much of a writer, but it helped me organize my thoughts as a coach. It also provided an opportunity to share with my peers my coaching philosophy and beliefs. Check out his November 2013 and December 2013 entries.

What was the most disappointing loss?

In my opinion, the most disappointing loss was losing in the MAC tournament championship game. Our guys played extremely hard, and deserved to win, but came out short. 

So, now what are you doing with all of your "free time?"

Free time is very limited in this profession, although I have enjoyed watching the NCAA tournament  games periodically. We have shifted our focus to recruiting, summer camps, and reflecting how we can improve the team for next season.

What is to look ahead to next year?

There is a lot of hope for next season with the Rockets as we have many key players returning. We plan on working diligently to get better at the little things, and have a bright future ahead of us.

Who are your favorites to win the NCAA tournament?

It seems to me that everyone is capable of winning it at this point, but I like Florida, Louisville, or Wisconsin to win it all!

Well, there you have it folks. Thanks Coach for taking some time out of your busy schedule to answer a few questions. Some may say that I have an advantage ;).

I hope each of you enjoy the excitement of the Sweet 16 games. I have a few favorites which of course include my two alma maters, Florida (Go Gators) and Wisconsin (On Wisconsin).

Michelyn

Coach Michelyn: In Coach Kemp's Footsteps?

I try to read/peruse USAToday every day in efforts of keeping abreast to the happenings in our nation and world. I think it comforts me or brings me back to my pageant days when I actually read each and every article, taking notes and developing potential interview questions/responses.

Today an article, In her husband's footsteps: Wives succeed their spouses in Congress, got me thinking about being a wife, in general, and specifically a coach's wife. Would I be able to take over Coach Kemp's job if the unfortunate situation would arise? As an aside this is a very light-hearted post, as I am not aware of any coach's wife taking over for their husband in the history of Division I Collegiate sports.

Bellow Blue Photography

I mean from the look of these photos, one may think I got some skills on the court!

Bellow Blue Photography

Did it, or did it not go in?

I frequently get asked if I played basketball in high school/college, or if I ran track. Unfortunately, the answer to both of those questions is no. I was a competitive dancer all my life, and picked up my fondness for running as an undergraduate at the University of Florida.

Ok, let's get back to the subject!

When I think about all the components of being a Coach, I do believe there are a few job skills that a college coach must encompass. Here is a short list of "characteristics", in no particular order, and how I fair.

First, I am a "people person" and am approachable. I believe this is an important quality for a coach since you meet so many fans; interact with prospective student-athletes, their parents, and coaches; and must work with your staff to be successful.

Second, one must be organized; I am Type-A, so we got that covered. But on top of being organized one must have a good memory which is already one of my pit-falls. Now, do not get me wrong, I can remember the outfit I wore on any major holiday and/or important event, but ask me how many points Junior scored at his last game and I am clueless. How coaches remember all those details, is beyond me!

Another characteristic is being competitive. Coach Kemp and I discuss this all the time, as we both agree that I may trump him in the "competitive" department. Now do not get me wrong, Coach Kemp loves preparing for a game, and coming out on top; but he believes I can be a little intense. My intensity usually comes out when we are discussing drills, practices, and concepts (even psychological) that may be beneficial for the guys to be successful. I definitely go over-board, talking about 5 hour practices, crazy drills, etc. He quickly reminds me that all of my ideas, ok maybe not all, but a majority are banned by the NCAA. Oh, yea completely forgot about those bylaws!

Which leads me nicely into the FACT that I know nothing about the technical aspects of basketball (rules, court layout, and player positions)! Yes, I was a cheerleader, but I still get confused on whether the ref has called a 30-second and 75-second time-out. And let's not even discuss fouls. I am the crazy fan that yells at the refs the entire game: "Wasn't that a foul, he got a little close to XXX!" or "Hol' up, he grabbed XXX's jersey! I demand a foul!"

And my constant screaming, leaning, and grabbing arms... I apologize to all individuals who sit next to me at games, because yes, I yell, lean whenever a 3-point is attempted, and then grab whoever's arm is closest. I know, it is no good; and there are a few nights I wonder how I got myself into this predicament! Honestly, but joking! So the behaviors outlined above are probably not a good look for a college coach, or any coach for that matter! I am 100% certain that I would not be able to maintain my composure during a game.

Which may conclude and answer my question on whether I could take over the reigns for Coach Kemp!

Michelyn

Question of the Day: Could you do your husbands job? Could he do yours?

Loutraki (Day 1 &2)

If you follow me on Facebook and/or Instagram, then you are quite familiar with our recent trip to Greece. The trip was pretty amazing. A wonderful opportunity to get to know my new Rocket Family, cheer on the guys through 3 wins, and enjoy a get away with Coach Kemp.

For the MBB international games, we had the privilege of visiting three locales in Greece. We landed and departed from Athens, but we first went to Loutraki, then Mykonos, and concluded our trip with a few days in Athens. Overall, Mykonos was the most relaxing, probably because we did not play any games while there and it seems to be similar to Cancun - crazy party and lots of beach fun!

So, let's begin in Loutraki where we stayed at the Achillion Hotel.

Front

Boardwalk View

Loutraki Boardwalk where our hotel was located

View from hotel balcony

We arrived in Athens and transferred to the hotel at around 9am. Many of us decided to take naps, and this was a pretty calm day (I went on a little run down the boardwalk which was pretty amazing!). 

On Wednesday, we departed for Epidaurus and Nafpilion - the huge theater at Epidaurus which has delighted visitors for its symmetry and beauty. This theater is still used today! The theater is marveled for its exceptional acoustics, which permit almost perfect hearing of un-amplified spoken words from the stage to all 15,000 spectators, regardless of their seating! Isn't that neat!!!

 The views of the mountains were absolutely splendid during our entire trip. It is simply surreal that we had the honor to see these sites with our own eyes!

A Group Shot in the theater

After our tour of the theater and on-site museum we headed back to the hotel for some down time in preparation of the first game! 

And we won Game 1 as indicated by all the smiles on Coach Kalsow and Coach Kemp's faces, and obviously Ally and I. 

That documents Tuesday and Wednesday of our Greece trip. I will continue to post summaries of the trip over the next few weeks intermittently. 

Michelyn

Kindness is Contagious: The Kemp Edition

For those of you residing in the Fargo/Moorhead, you may be familiar with Nicole Phillips, wife of Bison men’s head basketball coach Saul Phillips’, weekly columns in The Forum newspaper. Her weekly columns entitled, “Kindness is Contagious,” document different “acts” of kindness and generosity in an effort to showcase how joyful and caring “others” can be towards strangers or simply those in their community. 

Well, this evening after gifting Jason’s beloved and first manly grill to a set of newlyweds, I decided to check the mail. I was surprised to see one envelope from the parents of my former co-worker. As I walked up the stairs, I jogged my memory as to why I would be receiving a letter from her parents since she no longer resides in Fargo and I had already received her wedding thank you. When I opened the card this is what I found:

The newspaper article from The Forum telling the world that Coach Kemp was moving on. Ok, so I have talked enough about him moving on, but the gesture and note were so sweet and kind. I shed a tear that my former co-worker’s mother would think to cut out the article, send it to me, and write such a special note of congratulations and well-wishes. See, the thing is, both Coach Kemp and I had neglected to get a newspaper with the said article. And, as my former co-worker’s mother stated: “mothers and grandmothers like these types of things.”

I am still smiling!

Michelyn