Brittney Kemp Takes the Helm as W&L Women’s Basketball Coach

LEXINGTON, Va. - Washington and Lee University (W&L) is thrilled to announce the hiring of Brittney Kemp as the new head coach of the women’s basketball team and Assistant Professor of Physical Education. This marks a significant turn for the Generals as Kemp becomes the sixth head coach in the program’s history.

Kemp, who comes to W&L from St. Mary’s College of Maryland, brings an impressive resume to Lexington, having rejuvenated the women’s basketball program there over the past three seasons. Her enthusiasm for joining the W&L community was clear when she expressed, > “I am extremely excited to join the W&L Family.”

New Leadership on the Court

At St. Mary’s, Kemp paved the way for a remarkable turnaround. Over her tenure, she achieved three consecutive seasons with double-digit victories. Notably, her debut season featured a 12-13 record, a breakthrough that represented the Seahawks’ first double-digit win season since 2012-13. Furthermore, her squad reached the conference semifinals—a feat not seen since 1999-00—setting the stage for exciting developments in subsequent years.

With a well-deserved reputation as an impactful mentor, Kemp not only guided her players to success on the court but also in their academic endeavors. Her leadership garnered her 2022-23 United East Conference Coach of the Year honors, and she was honored among the WBCA Thirty Under 30 honorees.

As a testament to her influence, Kemp nurtured players like Karon Williams, who distinguished herself as an All-Region player and earned the title of United East Conference Player of the Year. Kemp’s ability to motivate and develop talent has changed the trajectory for aspiring athletes in her programs.

Kemp emphasized her alignment with the values of W&L, stating, > “Throughout the process, it was clear that my values align closely with those of the program, the athletic department, and the University.”

Before her time at St. Mary’s, Kemp served as the Assistant Coach and Recruiting Coordinator at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) from 2016-2021, where she helped lead the engineering-focused school to a co-NEWMAC Regular-Season Championship in 2018. Her coaching journey began as a Graduate Assistant at Trinity College (Conn.), showcasing her dedication to developing comprehensive skills among student-athletes.

Commitment to Excellence

A native of Branford, Connecticut, Kemp was an accomplished player herself; she was a four-year letter winner and team captain at Union College (N.Y.), where she commanded respect both on and off the court. Her educational background is equally impressive, holding a Master’s degree in American Studies from Trinity College and a Bachelor’s in Psychology from Union.

As she steps into her new role in Lexington, following a historic season where the W&L women’s basketball team set records with 29 wins and a .906 winning percentage, the Generals will look to continue their ascent in the competitive landscape of NCAA Division III athletics. Athletic director Jan Hathorn expressed optimism about Kemp’s capabilities, saying, > “Her demonstrated ability to lead and mentor young women, in the classroom, on the court, and beyond, will be an asset to the program, the department, and the university as a whole.”

With Kemp at the helm, W&L women’s basketball promises a commitment to academic excellence and an unwavering support system for its student-athletes. As they prepare to compete in the upcoming season, Kemp’s philosophy of building genuine relationships will undoubtedly foster a culture of teamwork and success.

Unity and Team Spirit

Kemp is set to begin her tenure at W&L in July, just as preparations ramp up for what promises to be another exciting chapter in the history of W&L women’s basketball. The foundation laid by former coach Christine Clancy and the hard work of alumni has positioned the program for greatness, and under Kemp’s leadership, they aspire to raise the bar even higher.

Conclusion: With a vision for fostering a winning culture on and off the court, Brittney Kemp’s arrival at Washington and Lee University marks a transformative moment for the Generals. Her passion for basketball and dedication to student-athletes is sure to drive the program towards new heights in the seasons to come.

To learn more about Washington and Lee athletics, visit Generals Sports.