University of Northern Iowa Athletics
WBB Season Preview: Meet the Junior
11/3/2016 2:44:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Most newcomers to a collegiate basketball team are entering a new and sometimes stressful world of basketball at the next level. Whether it is the pressure of collegiate basketball training, new and more challenging classes in school or just getting to know a new team outside of high school, starting a new career can be trying.
Luckily for UNI, one of the three newcomers to the Panther basketball family has literally, been there, and done that. Kennedy Kirkpatrick joins UNI as a graduate transfer this year after playing 62 career games for Bowling Green State, graduating with a degree in biology.
During media day this week, head coach Tanya Warren talked about the youth on the squad and how one of the keys of the season will be having "balance." Balance and experience is something the coaching staff will look to Kirkpatrick to contribute this season.
"Kennedy can score in a variety of ways," Warren said. "She shoots the three well and is extremely good off the bounce."
In 2015-16, UNI was able to play Madison Weekly off the ball thanks to having starting point guard Sharnae Lamar back, but this season, UNI will look to Kirkpatrick to help give the Panthers that "balance" they are looking for.
"Madison will play the point and we will also play her off the ball," Warren said. "Kennedy can play some point as well, which allows us to move Madison off the ball again."
Kirkpatrick is a native of Lawrence, Kan., attending high school at Free State. She finished her high school career with 1,046 points and 254 assists, setting the school record in dimes. She was a three-time All-Sunflower League first-team selection, averaging 13.2 points per game on the way to leading her team to a sub-state championship game appearance as a senior, making it easy for her to decide to play college basketball.
"I knew I wanted to play college basketball when I was pretty young," she said. "I had dreams of playing for Pat Summit at Tennessee, and basketball has been a passion of mine for a while now. I love playing the game and being around people who enjoy it as much as I do."
She moved on to Bowling Green State University, averaging 14.9 minutes per game in 2015-16. She was third on the team in assists and fifth in total minutes in her last year with the Falcons, also starting five games in 2014-15.
When the chance to not only continue her career, but also her education came to her, she had some decisions to make on where her future would lead her. She knew she wanted to pursue her MBA, and after talking to Warren and the staff, she found her next home.
"I chose UNI because of the tremendous success they have had as a program led by Coach Warren and her staff," Kirkpatrick said. "I really enjoyed the team on my visit and I am so excited to continue to get to know them as the year goes on. I also wanted to be closer to home and the graduate program here for my MBA is one of the best in the country."
At UNI, Kirkpatrick will be a part of the program that has landed in the top-15 in the country in team GPA 13 times. After being a two-time Academic All-Mac team selection, Kirkpatrick feels she will fit right in. She attributes her academic and on court success to the people she values most, her parents.
"My parents have had the biggest impact on my athletic career," Kirkpatrick said. "They always pushed me to be the best that I could be and without them, I would not be where I am today. On and off the court, I grew up with two amazing role models."
Kirkpatrick and the Panthers get this season started with an exhibition against Maryville on Monday, Nov. 7 in the McLeod Center. The game will start at 7 p.m. CT with $1 tickets available at the door.
Luckily for UNI, one of the three newcomers to the Panther basketball family has literally, been there, and done that. Kennedy Kirkpatrick joins UNI as a graduate transfer this year after playing 62 career games for Bowling Green State, graduating with a degree in biology.
During media day this week, head coach Tanya Warren talked about the youth on the squad and how one of the keys of the season will be having "balance." Balance and experience is something the coaching staff will look to Kirkpatrick to contribute this season.
"Kennedy can score in a variety of ways," Warren said. "She shoots the three well and is extremely good off the bounce."
In 2015-16, UNI was able to play Madison Weekly off the ball thanks to having starting point guard Sharnae Lamar back, but this season, UNI will look to Kirkpatrick to help give the Panthers that "balance" they are looking for.
"Madison will play the point and we will also play her off the ball," Warren said. "Kennedy can play some point as well, which allows us to move Madison off the ball again."
Kirkpatrick is a native of Lawrence, Kan., attending high school at Free State. She finished her high school career with 1,046 points and 254 assists, setting the school record in dimes. She was a three-time All-Sunflower League first-team selection, averaging 13.2 points per game on the way to leading her team to a sub-state championship game appearance as a senior, making it easy for her to decide to play college basketball.
"I knew I wanted to play college basketball when I was pretty young," she said. "I had dreams of playing for Pat Summit at Tennessee, and basketball has been a passion of mine for a while now. I love playing the game and being around people who enjoy it as much as I do."
She moved on to Bowling Green State University, averaging 14.9 minutes per game in 2015-16. She was third on the team in assists and fifth in total minutes in her last year with the Falcons, also starting five games in 2014-15.
When the chance to not only continue her career, but also her education came to her, she had some decisions to make on where her future would lead her. She knew she wanted to pursue her MBA, and after talking to Warren and the staff, she found her next home.
"I chose UNI because of the tremendous success they have had as a program led by Coach Warren and her staff," Kirkpatrick said. "I really enjoyed the team on my visit and I am so excited to continue to get to know them as the year goes on. I also wanted to be closer to home and the graduate program here for my MBA is one of the best in the country."
At UNI, Kirkpatrick will be a part of the program that has landed in the top-15 in the country in team GPA 13 times. After being a two-time Academic All-Mac team selection, Kirkpatrick feels she will fit right in. She attributes her academic and on court success to the people she values most, her parents.
"My parents have had the biggest impact on my athletic career," Kirkpatrick said. "They always pushed me to be the best that I could be and without them, I would not be where I am today. On and off the court, I grew up with two amazing role models."
Kirkpatrick and the Panthers get this season started with an exhibition against Maryville on Monday, Nov. 7 in the McLeod Center. The game will start at 7 p.m. CT with $1 tickets available at the door.
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