Sunday, September 15, 2002
College Update
Kamphake has reason to celebrate
By Ryan Ernst rernst@enquirer.com
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Six years, two knee surgeries and 40 pounds after starring in the backfield at Moeller, Mike Kamphake found college football paydirt.
Kentucky's senior fullback reached the end zone from 7 yards out in last week's 77-17 pasting of UTEP. It was the second carry of his college career. The third-quarter touchdown made the score 48-10, which would inspire most people to celebrate about as much as they would after finding a good parking space.
Most people, however, are not Mike Kamphake.
“I made a cut, and the next thing you know I'm in the end zone jumping around like an idiot,” he said. “I just flipped out and I turned around and saw everyone else jumping up and down. That was probably the most exciting part, was seeing how excited everyone else got.”
Most people don't celebrate like Kamphake. Even fewer have had to endure what he has. And yet even fewer work the way he does.
After gaining 2,364 all-purpose yards in his senior year of high school, earning him all-state honors, he blew out his knee while playing lacrosse. The injury forced Kamphake (pronounced cam-PAY) to enroll late at UK, and turned his love of weightlifting into an obsession.
“Just going to the games and not being able to play was the hard part,” he said. “The physical part (of rehab) has never been a problem. That's my outlet.”
Kamphake's weight-room outlet has led him to a 445-pound bench press at UK and a 525-pound lift in competition with special equipment. For those scoring at home, that's slightly less taxing than picking a Geo Metro off your chest.
After a redshirt sophomore season sandwiched by two years of special-teams action, Kamphake's added weight translated into a switch to the fullback position. Another knee injury in the spring threatened his final season at UK, but after more rehab, Kamphake recovered to claim the starting fullback spot in August.
Since then, the Wildcats have gotten off to a 2-0 start, including an impressive win over Louisville for the Governor's Cup. The last time UK started 2-0 was 1998; most of Kamphake's teammates were still in high school, some in grade school. He, however, already had been through a full year of rehab and was starting his first full season with the team.
“Yeah, everyone is always saying, "You've been here longer than anyone,'” he said. “And that's pretty much true except for (head) Coach (Guy) Morriss and (defensive tackles) Coach (Tom) Adams.”
The Wildcats' previous 2-0 start led them to a berth in the Outback Bowl. And although Kamphake was around to witness the success first-hand, his hard-luck past has taught him not to look too far ahead this season.
“With me, I'm always the type where something bad might happen,” he said. “So you've got to keep driving ahead and driving ahead. Like against Louisville, I wasn't happy until we picked up that Cup and headed off the field. Nothing for me settles in 'til it's over.”
And although Kamphake's college career is nearing an end — and in one sense already has ended with the completion of a degree in social work — Morriss said he wouldn't be surprised if his fullback's hard work continues to pay off.
“He's doing good. He provides a little punch in there with his blocking,” Morriss said. “So every once in a while, we'll throw him a bone and see if we can get him another touchdown.”
Why not? Most people wouldn't appreciate it like Mike Kamphake.
Others
The Northern Kentucky women's soccer team, ranked third nationally in Division II, today plays host to the nation's top-ranked team, Christian Brothers. The teams square off at 3 p.m. at the Town & Country Sports Complex in Wilder, Ky.
Two local products made contributions last week to help keep both the men's and women's Ohio Wesleyan soccer teams undefeated. Senior froward Brett Dunlap, from Lakota West, recorded a pair of assists in a 3-0 win over Capital. Erika Howland, a junior forward out of Mariemont, tallied a goal in OWU's 5-1 win over St. Thomas.
Ole Miss fullback Rick Razzano, a Milford grad, had quite a day last week in a 38-16 win over Memphis. The sophomore scored his first collegiate touchdown after proposing to his girlfriend while walking to the stadium. She said yes.
A trio of Xavier athletes took home Atlantic 10 honors last week. Patrick Rischmann, a LaSalle grad, was named the conference's men's cross country runner of the week. Fellow Musketeers Steven Barten and Meggie Hoffman were also honored, being named A-10 rookies of the week for soccer and volleyball, respectively.
Xavier's women's soccer team also got in on the awards action. After winning the Creighton Blue Jay Classic last week, four local Musketeers found themselves on the all-tournament team — Megan Veith (St. Ursula), Tracy Veith (St. Ursula), Angie Scarlato (Mercy) and Jessica Robb (Seton).
Former Western Hills receiver Steve Banks made his collegiate debut last week for Lackawanna College, catching three passes for 30 yards and one touchdown.
Emily Donovan, a former all-state sweeper at St. Ursula, is the head coach at Case Western Reserve. She has led the team to its first 5-0 start in the history of the program.
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College Update: Kamphake has reason to celebrate
