McCallie educator, coach Troy Kemp to step down
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 tenure at McCallie included 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.
He also served as a residential faculty member, math teacher, football coach, and as dean of admission and associate headmaster for admission and enrollment.
“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,” he said.
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.
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.
“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.”
— TROY KEMP
“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 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.