Buckeyes Welcome WCHA Commissioner Aaron Kemp to Campus – Ohio State Buckeyes
9/11/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Ice Hockey
Sept. 11, 2014
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COLUMBUS, Ohio – Poised for the start of the 2014-15 season, the Ohio State women’s ice hockey team extended a warm welcome Tuesday to newly instated WCHA commissioner Aaron Kemp.
With a tour of campus and meeting with the Buckeye student-athletes under his belt, Kemp and Ohio State head coach Nate Handrahan spoke with media regarding the future aspirations of both the team and WCHA.
“Today I had the opportunity to meet with the team, which I thought was spectacular,” Kemp said. “To be able to really talk to the student-athletes and tell them what my vision is, show them who I am and give them an idea of what we are looking at for the future. I also try to solicit some feedback from them and see what they want. Ultimately that’s why we’re here, to provide a good experience for the student-athletes.”
Kemp joined the WCHA in April after previously serving as the senior associate athletic director at Mercyhurst University in Erie, Pa. He succeeds Sara Martin, who had led the WCHA since its inception in 1999.
A former coach and student-athlete, Kemp brings a plethora of experience to his role as commissioner. Prior to joining the administration at Mercyhurst University, Kemp was on the Lakers’ women’s hockey coaching staff from 2004-2008. His background also includes time as an assistant men’s hockey coach at his alma mater, Canisius College, from 2002-2004.
“I think I’m bringing with me a hockey background, as a coach and as a player,” Kemp said. “Hockey is something I’ve been around since I was three years old. I’m passionate about the game and really just want to help grow, not only what we’re doing in the WCHA, but also the larger picture of the game of women’s hockey.”
As commissioner, Kemp has plans to strengthen the league’s promotional efforts, with an emphasis on social media. But first, he plans to visit all eight WCHA institutions as a part of a “goodwill tour” to offer an introduction to each team and staff.
“You’re going to see my face at a lot of rinks this season,” Kemp said. “I want people to know who I am. I want them to know that I value and solicit feedback on how to better the league.”
Although the emphasis certainly remains on the future of the league, the past traditions were not forgotten. A large part of that tradition is embodied in the league’s impressive alumni base.
“One thing we’ve talked about that we’d really like to do this year is connect with our alumni,” Kemp said. “We have such a strong force, probably the strongest among women’s hockey, whom have played at a high level. We need to recognize them and celebrate their accomplishments.”
Those accomplishments are some of the same this current group of Buckeyes is striving to achieve. With an exhibition matchup scheduled for Sept. 28, the season is very much on the horizon.
Entering his fourth season at the helm of the Buckeye program, Handrahan has high expectations for the group donning the Scarlet and Gray for the 2014-15 campaign.
“I thought from Thanksgiving moving forward, especially into the second half of the season, we were one of the hottest teams in the country,” Handrahan said. “If the second half of last year was any indication I’m pretty excited about the group as they come back.”
Without any bias shown, Kemp expressed encouraging words for the direction of the Ohio State program and the leadership of Handrahan.
“Coach Handrahan and I go back a long way,” Kemp said. “I have the upmost respect for him. I know that he does a tremendous job and they’re definitely going to be one of the teams contending for that top spot. Again, time will tell. I think we have eight quality institutions that have a clean slate right now.”
