West Newsmagazine 2-20-19

24 I SPORTS I
February 20, 2019
WEST NEWSMAGAZINE
@WESTNEWSMAG
WESTNEWSMAGAZINE.COM
Westminster senior kicker Andrew Kempen raises money to help boot cancer
By WARREN MAYES
Losing two friends in an accident triggered
something in Andrew Kempen.
A senior kicker for the Westminster
Wildcats, he decided to honor his late compadres
by partnering with the nonprofit
Alex’s Lemonade Stand and launching a
Kick-It For Cancer effort.
Two summers ago, Kempen attended a
Kohls football kicking camp in Wisconsin.
There, he met Nebraska punter Sam Foltz
and Michigan State punter Mike Sadler.
“They were mentors to me, teaching me
how to achieve my goals both on and off
the field,” Kempen said. Tragically, both
Sam and Mike were killed in a car accident.
“Colby Delahoussaye [a kicker for
LSU] was also in the car with them, and he
survived the crash.
“I decided to take action and learn from
Sam’s and Mike’s unique effort to help
those in their communities.”
His first thought was to sell wristbands.
“We then decided to take some of these
kids with cancer or disabilities [onto the
football field]. They rode bikes … during
halftime [last fall] with the cheerleaders
and fans all cheering them on,” Kempen
said.
Westminster seniors Andrew Kempen [left]
and Thomas Shultz at the school’s Basketball
Fights Cancer Night
It was a moment he will never forget.
“When I first saw these kids on the field …
I knew that this is what Sam and Mike did,
putting the benefits of others before themselves,”
Kempen said. “Ever since [their]
passing I have worn their names on my
wrist and will continue to through my college
football career to remind myself how
special these men were in their communities
and the actions they took in making a
difference.”
He said his Kick-It For Cancer effort has
“truly reshaped the way I think and act in
my life … I like how these causes unify
and bring people together.”
He’s hoping his action will inspire other
kickers. “I have talked with many top college
kickers across the nation hoping to
lead these foundations and grow them as
best we can,” he said. “I pray for our community,
no matter how much brokenness is
happening around us, to help rise above our
differences and make a real difference and
inspire others as leaders.”
Kempen already has inspired the Westminster
student body, who came together
recently to support Kick-It For Cancer
with a Basketball Fights Cancer Night
against the Principia Panthers, sponsored
by Chick-Fil-A.
Students donated $5 for a yellow dress
down day. At the girls’ and boys’ games,
they painted the stands yellow.
It was a success. Both the girls’ and boys’
team won their games.
“It’s a great opportunity for us to come
together as a community to help with a
great cause,” said boys coach Dale Ribble.
“It was fun to see a great crowd with all of
the yellow in the stands. I think our students
at Westminster have hearts to serve.”
Girls coach Shannon Lawrence said her
Wildcats were glad to be a part of the night.
“Cancer affects us all – directly or indirectly.
When we come together and support
one another at events like this it allows
us the opportunity to bless and hopefully
encourage those who are fighting and
pushing through battles that we may never
know about,” Lawrence said.
The dress down day and raffles raised
more than $2,500 for Kempen’s campaign.
Senior Thomas Shultz, of the “Blue Crew,”
helped lead the school-wide effort.
“It was very special seeing the basketball
raffle and dress down day happen …
yellow in support of children’s cancer,”
Kempen said. “Over the past three years,
we have raised over $12,000 for Kick-It
For Cancer, which is partnered with Alex’s
Lemonade Stand,” Kempen said. “This is a
charity site toward cancer research. We’ve
also raised over $3,000 toward Variety
Children’s Charity in St. Louis.”
Variety helps children with physical and
developmental disabilities reach their full
potentials. Fulfilling his potential, Kemper
hopes to play football in college.
“I enjoyed playing football at Westminster,”
Kempen said. “ I have many great
memories and stories with my teammates
that I will cherish.”
`
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