Alumni on the Pitch
GORDON KERNS & EMILY KORSCH

 

This fall, a large portion of our coaches are Hilltopper alumni, and we are so happy to have them back on campus in this capacity. The Girls’ Soccer team is lucky to have Gordon Kerns ’01 back for his eleventh season, and he is joined this year by Emily Korsch ’02 as a fellow coach. We caught up with Gordon and Emily for a few minutes to see what their experiences have been like.

Why did you decide to coach at Marshall this season?

EK: I just moved back to Duluth after several years in St. Louis, MO. I've always wanted to get involved in youth sports, but didn't pursue any connections in St. Louis. A few weeks after moving back to Duluth, I went to Caribou Coffee and happened to run into my friend Gordon, who mentioned that Marshall was looking for a new Girls' Soccer coach. I felt the coincidence could not be ignored and sent in my application.

I have wanted to get involved in coaching girls' sports because the team experience was extremely helpful for me growing up. I think it is so easy for young people to get overwhelmed with influential messaging on how to look, how to act, and what to buy to be considered "good" or "successful" or "popular." I think having consistent role models in a coaching staff, in a school, or in teammates themselves that reinforce a "being yourself is always the best option" message is an antidote to getting overwhelmed. This is the message I would like my coaching to convey — that being yourself, and contributing your best self to a team effort, is our ultimate goal.

What is it like coaching at your alma mater?

EK: So fun! It is a bit surreal to be back on campus, especially since so many things have been changed—in a great way—since I was a student. But I feel like the teachers and staff at Marshall have a great perspective that education is more than books and homework—it is development of a whole person. I am excited to help contribute to part of this mission through athletics.

GK: It’s great! I can still wear my old black and gold!

What would you say to encourage fellow alumni to stay connected or reconnect with Marshall?

EK: Apart from an occasional Annual Fund donation, I have not been very involved with Marshall until moving back to Duluth. And that is what worked for me and allowed me to join the coaching staff now with maximum enthusiasm. So I would recommend connecting at your own pace and be ready to enjoy the rewards when it works for your lifestyle.

GK: I think it can be easy to graduate high school and never look back. I am fortunate to have had opportunities to reconnect with the Marshall community and reestablish that continuity. Whatever your experience was, Marshall is a part of who you are. Plus, we can play soccer on the football field now!

What's one of your favorite sports memories from your time at Marshall?

EK: During my first year, the Girls’ Soccer team made it into the section finals and lost. While the loss certainly isn't my favorite memory, it stands out because of how much I looked up to the upper class students on the team, and how much the entire team worked hard to try and win that game for them. During my senior year, we hosted a lot of team spaghetti dinners and I really enjoyed spending time with my teammates not during practice or school!

GK: I have many great memories from participating in sports, but two experiences stand out: the ’98 boys soccer team getting to the state final at the Metrodome, and the ’99 girls basketball team making it to state for the first time. Both teams had exchange students on them that were living with my family at the time, so it was an amazing experience.