NCDS: Kevin McGeehan, Assoc. Head Coach - Richmond ("Thank you, Kevin Hovde")

Back in 2006, I got a call from a friend and high school coach in Philadelphia; we had worked together a few years prior at Archbishop Carroll and spent our lunches talking hoops.  In short, I valued his opinion and knew he recognized a good player, so when the call that day was about a player he had coached against in the Southern Chester County League, I figured the kid could play. However, my initial thought was ‘when was the last  time that league had a player in the A-10?'

However, my interest was piqued when he mentioned that the kid might walk-on.  Of course, from there I did all the normal follow up, called the coach, talked to some local scouting service friends, etc.  What I came to find out is that the kid’s sister was a student at Richmond.  Now, having heard nothing but positives about him from everyone, I was really interested.  Coach sent a tape and what it showed was that this kid surely could play.  Next, I went to see him play live, which further re-affirmed not only the type of player he was but also left me feeling very confident with him as a person, the way he interacted with teammates and coaches and his competitive spirit was outstanding. 

The kid’s name is Kevin Hovde and the truth of the matter is that Kevin had contacted the previous staff about coming to Richmond, they were not really interested in him. Kevin loved the school and his mom and dad where really pleased with the experience their daughter was having at Richmond.  The fact that he ended up at Richmond was our good fortune of many circumstances and lots of patience and effort by the Hovde’s.  See Kevin was getting recruited by some teams from the Ivy, Patriot and all the good academic DIIIs.  What made it hard for us was for him to be a walk-on for us meant only calling him one time so the communication was like ‘whisper down the lane’, all through the coaches and response to emails or them calling us.  It’s difficult when you really want someone to come and you can’t do much to make them feel that way.  The Hovde’s were great throughout it and in many ways we got one of our key building blocks the day he called us and said he was coming to Richmond. 

His freshman year, Kevin started a handful of games and played about 15 minutes a game.  He had a career high 24 against VMI that year.  After his freshman year, we awarded Kevin with a scholarship and he had earned it. 

The next two years his minutes declined as we continued to recruit and get more athletic.  However, Hov has always been a really good player.   Going into his senior year, actually the first practice of his senior year, he shattered his ankle and had to have surgery to repair the ankle.  He was done for the year.  Unfortunately, we had already signed a full class of four to complete our roster for the following year.  That meant no spot for Hovde, unless he wanted to walk-on again. 

Well, the decision he made to come back and be a part of this team as a 5^thyear Senior was exactly what I would have expected him to make, it was the spirit I saw in the Winter of 2006 at Unionville High School.  A competitor to the end, Hov has been great this year again.  And although he has played sparingly he is critical to the success of this team.  He is the unquestioned leader of our scout group and will go from point guard to center with one sub and without batting an eyelash.  His knowledge of not only what we are trying to do but what our opponents are attempting is invaluable.  Hov is like having another coach out on the floor. 

I know that Kevin would like to coach one day and think that he will be a good one somewhere down the line.  His tale has not been completely storybook but it is a story of work ethic and perseverance and I’ll bet if you asked Kevin Hovde he would say ‘ I wouldn’t trade it for anything.’ …and neither would we Hov. 

Thank you for your contributions to Richmond Basketball…others will get more press, but in many ways you are Richmond Basketball. 

* * *

Photos courtesy of University of Richmond Sports Information