Courtesy of LehighSports.com
By Justin Lafleur, Lehigh Sports Communications
It’s a small world.
You don’t have to tell that to Lehigh men’s basketball senior Tim Kempton and freshman Pat Andree. Kempton’s and Andree’s fathers, both named Tim, were teammates at Notre Dame during the 1982-83 season.
“I came to campus with Pat and there was a practice going on,” said Tim Andree. “I walked in and saw this really big guy with Tim Kempton’s face and I thought, that’s got to be Tim Kempton (my former teammate’s) son. As it turned out, it was. I didn’t know he was on the team when we first visited Lehigh.
“After that, we reconnected because we hadn’t spoken in years.”
Pure chance brought the two families together. Playing under head coach Digger Phelps, both Tim Andree and Tim Kempton enjoyed decorated careers at Notre Dame, which saw both of them selected in the NBA Draft. Andree was a senior when Kempton was a freshman. Ironically, the roles are now reversed. Pat is currently a freshman at Lehigh while Tim is a senior.
On Pat’s official visit to Lehigh, the younger Kempton was his host. The two connected, helping lead to his commitment to become a Mountain Hawk.
“Tim is easy to talk to,” said Pat. “He was telling me how they really wanted me because they wanted a shooter. When opponents collapse on him, it’s easy to kick out, which would be great for both of us. I picked Lehigh for a lot of other reasons, but it definitely helped that Tim was my host.”
As Kempton said, “For two days, you’re there trying to answer every question that he has, trying to show him the life of a student-athlete during his time. I hope I helped Pat learn about campus life, about basketball and how to balance everything. Hopefully it made the decision a little bit easier on him and his family.”
Pat’s father gave his son sound advice in ultimately choosing Lehigh.
“My dad gave me three keys,” said Pat. “He said to go to a school that I liked and would attend if I wasn’t playing basketball, go to a school where I could have an impact and go to a school with a great basketball program. Lehigh fit all three criteria. It was important to not choose a school for just one reason where if something happened with basketball, I would still like being at the school.”
Once they realized the connection, the fathers got back in touch and talked about Lehigh, but Pat’s college decision was ultimately his choice.
“I did ask (former teammate) Tim Kempton some questions about what he thought of the school and the program. He said his son was so happy at Lehigh,” said Tim Andree. “The coaches were on him early, knew they cared about him and showed a commitment. Pat loved the place as soon as he walked on campus and made a connection right away on the recruiting visit.”
Lehigh has been a good fit for both Kempton and Andree. Kempton has helped Andree in the transition process.
“You can always learn from someone as good as Tim,” said Pat. “He has a polished post game. We learn from him off the court and we learn from him on the court. We’re always trying to see what he can teach us because he’s been through some big games. He’s gotten the accolades and is a great player.”
The player Pat refers to is a two-time Patriot League Player of the Year who was named to the Watch List for the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award. For all his past successes, Kempton is off to his best start in this, his senior year, averaging 21.5 points and 10.2 rebounds through 11 games. Meanwhile, Pat is averaging 9.3 points and 5.6 boards, highlighted by a 30-point effort against Saint Francis (Pa.) which saw him hit 10-of-12 three-pointers, tying the school record for most treys made in a game.
They wouldn’t be where they are without the support of their parents. Both fathers were extremely supportive of their sons’ choices in choosing whichever activity or sport they wanted. They both started off playing multiple sports, but both decided to pursue basketball.
“My dad let me grow as a person throughout middle school and didn’t force the game of basketball on me,” said Kempton, who also played baseball and football growing up. “Then, once I finally decided basketball is what I wanted to focus on, he pulled me under his wing.”
Being able to choose basketball on his own has led to a genuine love for the game.
“Anytime you’re going to be successful at something, it has to come from within,” said the elder Kempton. “It has to be your desire and your passion. Timothy’s passion never really got there until later in his career, while his brother has had that passion since he was five years old. It wasn’t until that passion was lit that he started to progress. Now, we’re seeing the fruits of all that labor.”
“I’ve never grown sick of basketball,” said the younger Kempton. “My dad not being that parent who forces you into anything played a big role. My dad being a personal trainer in my backyard every day helps. I can call him after a good game, I can call him after a bad game.”
Tim Andree was equally as supportive, allowing Pat to make an independent choice to play what he truly loves.
“I grew up playing baseball and basketball, but I obviously knew basketball had a great tradition in my family,” said Pat. “I always liked basketball and wanted to play it in college. It was my decision to focus on basketball and not play baseball anymore.”
Pat’s father has always been by his side. That unconditional support has been there, from third grade hoops all the way until college.
“My dad was my third grade basketball coach, working up to sixth or seventh grade,” said Pat. “I’ve learned a lot from him, whether he’s my coach or whether he’s just a parent on the sidelines. My dad and Tim’s dad have a great background in basketball and they really know the game.
“My dad travels the world,” Pat continued. “He goes to Japan twice a month, and he seems to rarely miss my games. Even now, he’s been to most of the Lehigh games so far. He’s always there for me and has always supported me.”
For all the connections the families have, it’s not about the past. It’s about the present and future as the sons are looking to create their own legacies at Lehigh.
“Playing under the Kempton name has been tough in that every time your name’s brought up, you’re compared to someone,” said the younger Kempton. “I take real pride in being regarded with my dad, but obviously as an individual, you want to beat him and outplay him.”
“Tim’s dad played for Notre Dame, my dad played for Notre Dame, my older brother also played for Notre Dame. There’s a Notre Dame tradition in my family,” said Pat. “It would have been cool to go and continue their legacy, but I think it really appeals to me to start my own legacy here. I’m the first member of my family to ever go to Lehigh.
“Even though I didn’t go to Notre Dame, I ended up meeting someone who had the same connection.”
For both fathers and sons, they share a deep bond.
“We’re able to bond through basketball in ways that most people aren’t able to,” said the younger Kempton. “We do the thing we love to do every day, but we’re constantly talking and having conversations not pertaining to basketball, and we’re constantly working to get better.”
Both fathers are equally proud of the legacy their sons are creating.
“Pat has been nothing but a source of pride for us,” said Tim Andree. “He’s only just started and he’ll continue to develop. The goals that he talks about are winning the Patriot League Championship and advancing to the NCAA Tournament. He takes great pride in, and will measure himself through, team goals. I’m proud of the fact that Pat puts team goals way ahead of anything he’s trying to do individually.”
“People think Pat Andree and Tim Kempton had their dads, but it wasn’t easy for them,” said the elder Kempton. “A lot of times, it’s more difficult for those guys to set their own course in the same field where their dads have already been successful. For Tim Andree and Tim Kempton, it’s pretty special to see and be alongside our sons for what they’re able to accomplish.”
Leave a Reply