Longtime McCallie educator, lacrosse coach Troy Kemp stepping down this summer

Troy Kemp, who will lead a new National Center for the Development of Boys, is photographed Thursday, June 23, 2016, on the campus of McCallie School in Chattanooga, Tenn.
Troy Kemp, who will lead a new National Center for the Development of Boys, is photographed Thursday, June 23, 2016, on the campus of McCallie School in Chattanooga, Tenn.

Longtime McCallie School educator, administrator and varsity lacrosse coach Troy Kemp is stepping down this summer to join the Ron Clark Academy in Atlanta.

Kemp, who also has served as executive director for the National Center for the Development of Boys since 2016, has spent 27 years at McCallie. He joined the school as a math teacher in 1992.

His legacy, Kemp said, includes taking over the lacrosse program - then in its infancy - and helping it grow into one of the country's top high school programs.

"My legacy, I think, is to move an athletic program to a national scale and national recognition, to help boys upgrade their college choices by using a sport and their academic recognition," Kemp said.

During his time at McCallie, Kemp has served as a residential faculty member, math teacher, coach for football and lacrosse, and as dean of admission and associate headmaster for admission and enrollment.

"I love McCallie and the amazing people who are connected to this institution," Kemp said. "Besides our own children, I feel like I have countless sons in the McCallie boys I've been fortunate enough to teach, coach, mentor and just do life with. I'll always be a part of the McCallie family, even if I'm not physically here."

His passion has left its mark on hundreds of both McCallie students and boys in the Chattanooga community.

"Troy's passion for boys has changed the lives of so many young men during his time at McCallie," said Headmaster Lee Burns in a statement. "He throws himself into inspiring others and lifting up everyone he comes in contact with. His years of devotion to McCallie and the boys he taught and coached have had a profound impact on our school and its culture.

"I am sure he will continue to have that same impact on others in his newest endeavor, and we wish him the best. As sad as I am for Troy to leave McCallie, his new role is a great opportunity for him, and I'm excited for him and his family in a new chapter in their lives," Burns added.

Kemp said though Chattanooga is home, he is excited for the next opportunity.

The Ron Clark Academy is recognized as one of the nation's top schools. Housed in an old red-brick warehouse in Atlanta, the school serves middle school-aged boys and also trains thousands of teachers every year.

"There's warp-speed and then there's Ron Clark speed," Kemp said. "I think the reason why he's effective at what he does is he's incredibly passionate about affecting lives. I'm most excited about learning from one of the masters of this industry, being able to share messages and techniques with thousands of teachers. There's a lot of hope being spread in that building."

Kemp said he didn't even originally intend to pursue a career in education.

"I was going to be a doctor, I went to college originally as a pre-med major. When I was offered an interview slot to interview to be a teacher, I said no. I ran away from that because I didn't think you could make the kind of income [I wanted] as a teacher. When you grow up poor, you want to be rich," he said. "I got rich in a different way."

Kemp said he believes he was meant to follow the path that led him first to McCallie and now Ron Clark Academy, though.

"If you do what you are born to do I believe God put my resume together before I did and said you're going to do something to change the lives of people," he said. "He put education in my path and said 'You just do what you can do on behalf of other people and I'll do the rest.'"

Kemp will remain head of the Center for Boys and doesn't anticipate major changes to the organization.

"For right now, I'm going to remain the executive director of the center, the center will continue, the capacity will change a little bit," he said.

As for McCallie's Blue Tornado lacrosse program, assistant coach Eamon Thornton will take over as the head coach.

Thornton is well-positioned to take over as coach, school officials say. He played lacrosse as a student at McCallie and in college at Hampden-Sydney College.

"I'm excited for Eamon to serve as head coach," Kemp said. "I've known him for a long time, back to when he played for me, and as an assistant coach for the last eight years. He knows McCallie and the impact lacrosse has had on the lives of countless players, their families and this institution. The culture and standards will remain healthy and high under his great leadership."

Thornton now teaches at McCallie and serves as dorm head in the Hutcheson Dorm. He has also coached the Swiss national lacrosse team in the summers.

"Like everyone, I am sad for Troy to leave McCallie, and I greatly value the ways he has mentored and coached boys in lacrosse," Thornton said in a statement. "I am grateful for the opportunity to build upon the foundation and legacy that is in place. For now, though, we are focused on having a strong finish to our season."

Contact staff writer Meghan Mangrum at mmangrum@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6592. Follow her on Twitter @memangrum.

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