Diary Series: Ken Dempsey, Assoc. Head Coach - New Hampshire ("Sometimes it's more than basketball")

DURHAM, NH - I am delighted once again to be a part of the National Coaches' Diary Series. There are so many timely and good stories that exist in the game that we are all a part of. We are in the middle of a 10 day break during the Thanksgiving holiday which is very good for us. After opening with a victory against Suffolk, we lost two tough games to Boston College (67-64) and Loyola (66-60). The much needed break has given us some time to work on some things before we get back on the court next Wednesday at home against Dartmouth.

As coaches we are always teaching our team about life's lessons on a daily basis. I never thought that one of the lessons would be about me though. Recently, I was diagnosed with prostate cancer. This was not exactly the news that I wanted to hear as we were about to get started with the season. But it was reality.

A little more than a a year ago, I went for a routine physical. Like most men, going to visit a doctor for any reason is not something that exactly excites me. All went well except for the news that I had an elevated PSA test score. The PSA (prostate-specific antigen) is a blood test that doctors use for prostate cancer screening. While it is not 100% conclusive, it is a very safe and timely start to the process. As a result of my score, I met with a doctor over a six month period to monitor my bloodwork. The next step was a biopsy in late September which produced the positive results. After receiving the call with the not expected nor wanted results, I met with my doctor to discuss my options along with my wife. My doctor wanted to operate and explained the process to me.

You have no idea what kind of things were going through my mind. My wife and I have three young children and she lost her own father to cancer at age 47. Bottom line for me was that I have so much to lose... so I need to get this right. The next step for me was to meet with some specialists in Boston to get a second opinion. Without question this was the best move I could have made.

As a result of this meeting, I am scheduled for surgery in the near future. While I am no doubt nervous about what lies ahead, I am confident of the game plan and support that I have with this matter. I feel good and I am fortunate that I have the medical options that have been available for me. The support that I have from the UNH community (Coach Herrion, our Athletic Director Marty Scarano and our team) has been tremendous. Our team even went so far as to purchase prostate cancer wrist bands for all of us to wear. So much of what I am going through is new for me. Simply stated how do you let people know what you are going through? Do you tweet it or post it on Facebook?

Neither one of those options work for me. I am a very fortunate person. I do something each day that I love in coaching basketball. I have a great family and work with a staff that I can not say enough great things about. I have always been a person who values family and friends while always being an upbeat individual.  It is important to note that early detection was key for me in this. As coaches we are always working on someone other than ourselves. Don't be foolish. Take the proper steps to check on yourself. 

I know that this entry did not contain too much basketball input but sometimes there are greater stories than the season at hand. You can follow our season on our website at www.unhwildcats.com.

Go Cats!

Coach Dempsey

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