“I teared up when I realized that I was getting inducted into the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame,” says Lakepoint resident Brent Kemnitz. This accomplishment was a culmination of his coaching career spanning nearly four decades with Wichita State.

 

“When they told me I was on the ballot, I looked to see who else was on the ballot. There were around 60 people and they picked 10,” he says. Considering it to be a long shot, Brent did some additional research. “I knew several people on the selection committee,” he jokes. “I didn’t know whether that was good or bad.” He laughs.

 

The ceremony, which was held on October 1 at the Kansas Star Casino, was a moment to remember for Brent. “I was very flattered,” he smiles. The Kansas Hall of Fame encompasses all of Kansas and Brent couldn’t have been happier.

 

“I was emotional,” he says. He had to give a speech and was careful to put his thoughts about his mother at the end of the speech. “I might not get through that part,” he says. His 91-year-old mother was in attendance and was proud of her son.

 

Brent received a very nice plaque that he treasures. He also enjoyed a “first class” banquet on Sunday, followed by a golf tournament on Monday. Eight Hall of Fame inductees also spoke to the Kansas Star about their accomplishments.

 

 

Before entering coaching and making his mark in sports, Brent grew up in Perry, Oklahoma. “I’m just a small-town kid,” he says. His father owned a service station that his brother still runs. “It’s the longest-running service station in the state of Oklahoma.”

 

Growing up, Brent filled up cars, and fixed flats in the ‘60s and ‘70s. “It created a great work ethic,” he says. It also made him into who he is today.

 

 

For his education, Brent attended Phillips University, which no longer exists today. Brent enjoyed their small baseball program, which he found to be a great experience. Although he hoped to become a professional athlete, he found the next best thing – coaching.

 

“My dream was to play professionally and in the Big Leagues someday,” he recalls. “I didn’t get drafted and reality kicked in. The whole pro thing wasn’t going to happen.” It was his senior year of college that he started looking at grad schools.

 

“My coach encouraged me to write to Gene Stephenson at Wichita State,” he says. He met Gene in December 1977, and he gave him an opportunity as his graduate assistant. Brent earned his master’s degree and he’s been at Wichita State ever since.

 

 

For 38 years, Brent was the pitching coach at Wichita State. He worked with every player to perform his best and figured out what “makes each guy click.” When he recruits them, he figures out what will make them the best, whether it’s a “hug and I love you" style or a stricter approach.

 

His keys to creating a winning team are recruiting great talent and maximizing great talent. “It’s a lot harder than a cookie-cutter approach,” he says. He adapts to each player and works with them. “If you love them, they will do anything for you,” he points out.

 

Now he works as the Assistant Athletic Director in Development. “We do all the fun things,” he says. He also has the opportunity to build relationships.

 

“My job is to promote all the sports. I travel with basketball. I try to raise money for different projects, get out in the community, and meet people. It’s a fun job to get out and promote sports.”

 

Brent has been on the college campus for 50 years now. “I feel very blessed,” he comments. “There’s nothing like being on a college campus. My brain is still about 23,” he jokes. “We have had a great run with a ton of success.”

 

 

“I want to thank Gene for the opportunity,” he says. He is also thankful for his stellar career, including going to the College World Series seven times and winning the 1989 national championship.

 

Brent is proud to be inducted into his fifth Hall of Fame with the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame. He is the most winning pitching coach in the history of Division 1 baseball. “I’ve been blessed and it’s been a great journey,” he says.

 

 

Brent moved to Lakepoint in June 2012. “It’s my dream neighborhood,” he says. His girls attended Collegiate and his house backed up to the school, making it convenient. His daughter, Madison, 20, is now a sophomore at the University of Kansas. His oldest daughter, Mackenzie, 22, graduated from TCU and is a first-year student in law school at the University of Kansas.

“My girls are my world,” he smiles. He makes plenty of trips to visit his daughters in Lawrence.

 

Married for 13 years, Brent is now divorced and his former wife, Kelly (Kemnitz) Brophy, is his real estate agent. “She is one of the best in town,” he raves. “She found me the house.”  

 

When not working, sports is Brent’s world. “I’m constantly going to sporting events,” he says.

A huge Chiefs fan, he loves watching his favorite team succeed. He is happy to be living his best life and having a great time in the process.

  

Congratulations, Brent, on being inducted into the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame! All his hard work throughout his coaching career has paid off, influencing countless athletes in the process. He couldn’t be happier about that.