Former men's basketball manager Michael Kemp embraces roster spot as opportunity to improve Christian faith


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Unionville sophomore Michael Kemp talks while hosting a bible study session for fellow basketball players on Feb. 15 at Fresh Food Company. 

Sophomore guard Michael Kemp darted up the court during a full-court press break drill and set up for a deep shot in the corner. Upon receiving the kick-out pass, a defender quickly closed the distance, but Kemp launched a 3-pointer nonetheless.

“There’s no way I’m knocking this down,” Kemp thought to himself as the ball left his hand.

The ball cleared the defender’s outstretched fingertips, arced through the air, and dropped smoothly through the net. At the time, Kemp was a merely a team manager running with the men’s basketball team at a September offseason workout. 

“It just went right in, in front of everyone, and in front of Coach [Keno Davis] behind me on the sideline,” Kemp said. “Everybody was just going crazy because I’m just this manager, coming in without a warmup and shooting a three and draining it.”

Looking back, that fateful shot may have been what punched his ticket to be a player on the 2018-19 Central Michigan men’s basketball team according to Kemp.

While now he is living out his dream playing college basketball, his faith helped him past uncertainty along the way.

'It was a huge blessing'

Prior to making the team as a walk-on, Kemp had served as a team manager during his freshman year.

“I learned a lot from my time as a manager,” Kemp said. “It was good, but it was really humbling.”

As team manager, Kemp was often tasked with the responsibilities that nobody else wanted: mopping up sweat, cutting film, fetching chairs during timeouts and myriad other unenviable jobs behind the scenes of the organization.

Although Kemp remained appreciative of the opportunity to help the men’s program as a manager, he longed for a chance to prove himself worthy of joining the team as a walk-on student-athlete.

“I enjoyed it, but it got to a point where I’m like, ‘Is this really what a want to be doing?’” Kemp said. “I had the chance to play against some of the guys [on the team] sometimes at the rec center or after practice, and I definitely thought I could compete. It was tough because you know you’re not gonna get a shot at it right away.”

On the brink of leaving his position as team manager, Kemp caught his lucky break.

One member of the men’s team quit, and another went down with a long-term injury. A spot had opened up on the bench – a spot that Kemp was quite happy to fill.

“It was a huge blessing," Kemp said. "One thing I was reminded of through all of it was that I wouldn’t have gotten where I am now without going through the circumstances I did last year.”

As a walk-on, the Unionville native has primarily played the role of scout player for the team. He comes in early to learn the plays of the opposing teams and gives the starting group a good look at what they’re about to see in the real game. Kemp estimates that he spends 30-40 hours a week between attending workouts, prepping to play on the scout team, and improving his basketball skills.

“To be able to have a group of guys like Michael, guys that are aspiring to be able to be more of an impact player or are just really enjoying and getting the most of their positions, that can help your team so much,” Davis said of Kemp and the rest of the scout team.

Unionville sophomore Michael Kemp talks with fellow members of his bible study group on Feb. 15 at Fresh Food Company. 

'I wouldn't be here without Him'

Kemp’s passion for basketball is evident through his drive to attain a place on the roster. That being said, Kemp has another pursuit for which he is even more passionate: his Christian faith.

“I keep taking steps of faith to become more involved, because I could see all the great things God had done in my life,” Kemp said. “I wouldn’t be here and wouldn’t have these opportunities without (God).”

At the beginning of his freshman year, Kemp sought to join a Christian group on campus. An organization called CREW was the jumpstart for Kemp’s commitment to Christ at CMU, welcoming him into their group of worship with open arms. 

Through all of his journeys in life with his faith, Kemp hadn't seen anything like this. He said the people at CREW were very into what they were doing – singing music, worshipping, and had serious speakers and testimonies from students. 

"I didn’t know anybody at first, but right away I could tell these people really cared about me,” Kemp said.

After spending time building relationships with members of CREW, Kemp became a part of a Bible study group in East Campus. Kemp got deeply involved with the group and was soon offered an opportunity to lead his own study.

Kemp originally accepted the offer, but was forced to give it up once he learned he had made the men’s basketball roster. 

In hindsight, Kemp considers his decisive corner 3-pointer in the September workout to be an act of God that placed him on a fresh path.

“I would have never thought I’d make that shot,” Kemp said. “I hadn’t warmed up or anything, and I don’t normally shoot deep shots. I think that was a blessing that gave me a new way to improve my faith.”

Kemp has seen his spot on the team as a chance to include his teammates in his faith with God.

Junior guard Matty Smith and sophomore guard Matt Beachler are the first to join Kemp's Bible study. The first meeting was held Jan. 31 with Kemp leading it.

“I wanted to get something going where we meet once a week, hang out, and talk about our faith,” Kemp said.

Beachler said even through their busy schedules of being student-athletes, they have found time to make the group work. 

When they meet up to talk, the conversation involves their relationship with God and sports according to Beachler.

"Last time we talked about how God's not a rabbit's foot, or something you ask for to help you win," Beachler said. "It's just the correct way to follow faith with sports and your life." 

The Bible study works together with Athletes in Action, an organization that helps athletes share their faith and grow spiritually through sports. 

“It’s good to get a group of guys going that believe in the same thing you do,” Smith said. “It helps us strengthen each other.”

Eventually basketball is going to fade out of Kemp's life. What he will have forever is his faith in God. Eternally, it has an impact on Kemp that affects him as a person. 

Kemp is hopeful the role he’s taken with the basketball team will help fulfill his overarching goal of service to God. He feels it has provided him with opportunities that previously had only come to fruition in his dreams.

Although his teammates credit that September 3-pointer as the shot to solidify his roster spot, Kemp's hard work behind the scenes put him where he is today. Kemp hopes the effort he's committed to his faith will pay dividends as well.

This time, all he seeks is God's approval.

“At the end of the day, when I’m done with everything and I die, I’d like to be able to hear, ‘Well done’,” Kemp said. “I’d like to be able to get to get to heaven and hear that I’ve done my job here on Earth and that I’ve served the Lord. That’s what really matters to me.”

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