(Editor's Note: This is part of a series of stories of the RUDY Award finalists. Two winners – one male and one female – will be announced at the conclusion of the end of the R.UD.Y.S. Awards Banquet on Monday.
R.U.D.Y.S. stands for Recognition and celebration of University of Dayton student-athletes Year-end Showcase. It is hosted by the UD Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and Dayton Athletics administration for the student-athletes to recognize individuals and teams for their accomplishments this past year.
These stories were written by students in Dr. Haozho Pu's HS 353 Sports Media class.)
Written by John Cameron, Jade Morgan, Daniela Peralta, and Addie Ryan
Izzy Kemp, a senior pitcher on the softball team, has built a decorated career at the University of Dayton. She is majoring in mechanical engineering with a minor in human biomechanics. A native of Westfield, Indiana, Kemp attended St. Theodore Guerin Catholic High School.
Izzy has earned numerous accolades during her time in the circle. During her freshman season, she was honored with Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Year. As a junior, she was named Atlantic 10 All-Conference First Team and All-Academic Team showing her success on the field and also in the classroom. She was also selected to NFCA Division I Great Lakes All-Region First Team. Izzy finished ninth in the country for strikeouts/seven innings averaging 9.4. She holds a new program record 18 strikeouts against Fordham this year. Lastly, she has been named Atlantic 10 Pitcher of the Week multiple times throughout her career. Izzy also holds an important role on the team. She is a pitcher/senior class leadership council representative and has had this position since freshman year. This role has helped her become a better leader on the field.
Izzy enjoys her time outside of softball as well. She loves activities like cooking and reading. She also spends time with friends, plays pickleball and enjoys being outdoors.
Q: Describe yourself in three words.
A: "Passionate, faithful, and fun."
Q: What does being a Flyer mean to you?
A: "It means being with a community that has expanded through generations, nations, and nationally. When I'm out wearing Dayton anything, I always get a "Go Flyers". Getting to play for the school has been awesome, and being a Flyer through that has been an incredible opportunity."
Q: What is one of the most influential moments in your athletic career?
A: "Losing at A10s my freshman year, understanding what that actually meant, how it meant the end of the careers for seniors, and what it takes to actually win it, and what is at stake when you actually lose."
Q: How has being a student-athlete contributed to your personal growth and development?
A: "It has kept me focused on what I want and doing the things that will get me there, like softball and school. I put in the work to achieve those things and keep my grades up, but softball isn't affected by that. It has taught me time management, how to be a better teammate, how to lead the team, confidence, how to be fearless, and be a leader. It brings friends and I can't thank softball enough."
Q: What are your future goals and aspirations after graduating from UD?
A: "Eventually get a job. I'm getting a minor in human mechanics and movement, so working something in design or manufacturing. Eventually, I also want to be a mom and have a family."
Q: Looking back at your freshman year to now, what's the biggest way you've evolved as both a player and a person?
A: As a player, realizing that I don't have to do it all, I can do good things for the team but it isn't all on my shoulders. As a person, getting a lot closer with God, through my team community and being at UD, going to mass and being so successful, I appreciate it all a lot."
Q: What's something people would be surprised to learn about you off the field?
A: "That I like to read, I think that can be surprising. I was big into reading when younger, but it doesn't seem like me on the field because I am an athlete and do a lot of yelling on the field."
