By Kevin Eickman
Prince Kemmerlin
Sometimes life takes on journeys we don’t expect. In the case of Milford soccer coach Prince Kemmerlin that is exactly what unfolded as after a strange and unforeseen circumstance landed him the job as the Milford soccer head coach four years ago.
“If you would have asked me ten years ago that I would end up as coach of this team, I would have laughed at you,” Kemmerlin said. “However, when you keep your eyes open and take advantages of opportunities that are presented to you, good things happen.”
Kemmerlin was a well-respected athlete when he played at Milford, it just wasn’t on the soccer pitch, it was on the football field. It was in college where he would begin to develop his love of soccer, mainly egged on by his friends as they would watch Scottish soccer early on Saturday mornings.
He would eventually find his way onto the pitch in pick-up games and then some recreational league soccer, but nothing serious. The one thing that did grow however, would be his love of the sport
“I found that I really enjoyed playing the game and the more I played it, the more enamored I became with the tactical side of the game. I still never envisioned myself as a coach however.”
That would all change about 10 years ago when the opportunity to be an assistant coach at Milford Central Academy presented itself.
“I thought it would be fun to try, I just never imagined how much I would love it,” Kemmerlin said. “I was really able to communicate with the players and teach them. To be able to watch them implement what you are showing them is very enjoyable.”
The next opportunity would be a spot as the head coach of the girls soccer team at Milford High School. Without hesitation, Kemmerlin once again took the leap believing in himself and his ability to teach the game. It would turn out to be a short stop for Kemmerlin as once again another chance presented itself when the job for Milford boys varsity opened. This led Kemmerlin to throw his hat in the ring
“I figured I didn’t have anything to lose, so I took a chance,” Kemmerlin said. “There were a lot of people that knew what I had done at my other jobs, so I was given the job despite my lack of experience.”
The job was special for Kemmerlin in that he was reunited with the players he had coached for the academy.
“I really knew this group well and they knew me, so we were pretty much on the same page from the start,” Kemmerlin said. “That was a huge advantage for me and something as a team that allowed us to be competitive from the start.”
During his four years as head coach, Kemmerlin would compile a record of 35-23-2 with one state tournament appearance. While the solid record is nice, what Kemmerlin enjoyed the most was the positive impact he had on his young players lives
“There are some difficult lessons that you teach and learn in sports. I prided myself on being able to bring the best out of every player. It didn’t matter if you were a star or just hanging on to a roster spot, there was always a way you could improve,” Kemmerlin said. “I won’t lie, some of the conversations were difficult but at the end of the day it is about what is best for the player and more importantly the person.”
While there were no championships for Milford, there is one honor that Kemmerlin takes pride in
“Two years ago, we were awarded the Sportsmanship Award for Soccer,” Kemmerlin said. “That was a real reflection of boys becoming gentleman while learning to play at a high level, that is when I knew we were a team and not just a bunch of players.”
The question then became an obvious one. After a season in which Milford just missed making the playoffs and with good young players in development, why leave now?
“I will say it was one of the most difficult decisions I have ever made. I told the team early in the year and the reason is fairly simple, I want to spend more time with my family. When I started all of this, I was single, now I have a wife, Jillian, and two sons, Luka and Caden, so I have had a shift in priorities. I need to be there to support them, and make sure that they can achieve their dreams whatever they turn out to be.”
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