IUP Athletic Hall of Fame
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Zack Kempa graduated from IUP after putting together one of the most distinguished golf careers in school history.
A native of Brantford, Ontario, Kempa earned All-America honors each of his last three years, was twice tabbed as an academic All-American, was a four-time All-PSAC and all-region selection, won regional and PSAC individual titles and was named IUP’s Male Athlete of the Year in 2014.
Kempa made a splash not long after arriving at IUP from Canada, helping IUP capture a PSAC championship with his third-place finish in the tournament in the fall of 2010.
A year later, Kempa tied for fifth at the PSAC tourney, tied for second at regionals and tied for fifth at the NCAA Division II tournament, shooting a 6-under 210 at the Cardinal Club Golf Course in Simpsonville, Ky. He was selected to the PING/Golf Coaches Association of America All-America team.
Kempa kept producing as a junior. He captured the PSAC championship with the lowest score in tournament history—a 4-under 140—shot a 2-under 69 in the fourth round to win a regional title and finished 11th at nationals. Kempa was selected as a PING/Golf Coaches Association of America and Srizon/Cleveland Golf All-American, earned Capital One Academic All-America and CoSIDA Academic All-District honors, was named the PSAC Golfer of the Year and averaged 72.44 strokes per round, the lowest in school history.
He repeated those honors as a senior. Kempa tied for 19th at the NCAA tourney, sinking a birdie putt on the final hole of the third round to propel coach Fred Joseph’s team into the match play portion of the competition. The Crimson Hawks lost to eventual national runner-up Nova Southeastern (Fla.) in the quarterfinals.
Kempa, who graduated in 2014 with a degree in marketing, works as a business development consultant for Hartford Funds in Wayne. He and his wife, Ashley, a 2013 IUP grad, reside in Exton with their children, twins Grace and Brynn, 6; and Reese, 3.
Personal Reflection:
This is truly a great honor to be inducted into the IUP Athletics Hall of Fame, and congratulations to my fellow inductees.
All my accomplishments would not have become possible without Coach [Fred] Joseph providing me the great opportunity to represent the university. Thank you, Coach Joseph. Starting as a freshman, my goal was just to make the starting lineup. Fast-forward four years, with hard work and support of the IUP athletic community and my family, I was ready to embark on my childhood dream of playing professional golf.
Both on and off the course, Ashley Kempa was by my side. Thank you for being my rock! To all of my teammates over the years, you supported me and pushed me to be the best that I could be, thank you. To IUP and all of faculty in the athletic department, thank you for allowing me the opportunity to wear the Crimson Hawk colors with pride. The four years as a member of the team went by far too fast and will always be some of my fondest memories.
I look forward to cheering on the IUP men’s golf program from outside the ropes! GO HAWKS!
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