Kristen Valentin (Kemp) - Real Class of 2003
Where did you go to college and did you play soccer for the college?
I played soccer at Wake Forest University.
Please share a quick bit about what you are up to?
After playing Division I soccer and graduating from Wake Forest in 2007, I started graduate school the same year at Regis University. I earned my Doctorate in Physical Therapy in 2010 and somehow managed to get married, move to a new city, and start my career while my husband was playing in Major League Soccer. After three years with the LA Galaxy, he was traded to Tampa Bay where he played one more year before retiring. We were lucky enough to move back to Colorado in 2011 for his new job with the Colorado Rockies and have been here ever since. We currently live in Sterling Ranch and have three amazing children, Brayden (9), Landon (7), and Raleigh (4). I continue to work as an orthopedic physical therapist at Cactus Sport and Spine where I am lucky enough to treat lots of current and former athletes. I have also coached all three of my kids through the recreational program at Real and can't wait to see what lies ahead in their soccer careers!
Favorite Food?
Salted Caramel Oreo Ice Cream- does that count as a food?
First concert you went to and where?
Boyz II Men (my dad made us leave after the opening acts, before they even came on stage)
When did you come to Real Colorado?
U10 or younger
Favorite Movie?
The Notebook
What team did you play at for Real Colorado?
When I started at Real, it was actually called D.C. Blast. I was on the top team, which at that time was called "Black." I was born in 1984, but I played with girls mostly born in 1983. At that time, the age groups were based on school year and not birth year, so I technically played "up" an age group. It was especially interesting when they started high school a year before me and I had no team to play with during the high school season! I played with Real my entire career, from recreational starting at U8, all the way until U18!
Who were some of the coaches your remember?
If you can believe this, the one and only Jared Spires moved from Fort Collins to coach my Real team, when I was about 12 years old. He was my coach for majority of my career, and I can honestly say that I owe him everything. Jared believed in me before I ever believed in myself and poured his heart and soul into coaching us to not only be great soccer players, but also great teammates and leaders. Real was only on the verge of becoming a nationally dominant club at the time, and I was lucky enough to receive a full scholarship to Wake Forest because of the strong team that Jared built.
I was also fortunate enough to be coached by the infamous Lorne Donaldson, who was equal parts an amazing coach and a hilarious individual who made soccer FUN and taught me to never take the game too seriously, even in the most intense moments. Alongside Frank Kohlenstein, both were instrumental in forging strong relationships with college coaches and advocates for myself and my teammates during the recruitment process.
What is a best memory(ies) at Real Colorado?
I have so many amazing memories with my Real teammates, who to this day, are still some of my closest friends. While I will save some of the funniest and best stories for a less public forum, I think my favorite memories are the times we get together now at dinners and with our kids at the park or on the soccer fields. I am so grateful for the life-long friendships that were forged through soccer.
What do you view as the most important qualities you learned as a player that apply to your current life?
The obvious answers are leadership, work ethic, time management, and "coachability." To all the young players out there, I can promise you that these qualities are important to the people who make decisions about admissions and employment.
Personally, my most challenging experience as a player also shaped some of the most important qualities that I learned. During my senior year of high school, I tore my ACL and was forced to sit out most of my freshman year at Wake Forest. My experience in physical therapy (which is now my current employer!) not only inspired me to become a PT, but also taught me about resilience and forced me to search for an identity outside of just being a soccer player. I learned that my worth is not tied to my success on a field, and that I had a lot more to offer the world than just my skill as a soccer player. While I was still able to play all four years at Wake, I struggled on the field more than I'd like to admit. But I also discovered an incredible resilience and courage within myself. Those qualities have carried me through many important stages throughout my life, including motherhood, my marriage, and my career.
If you could go back in time and talk to yourself when you first started playing, what advise would you give?
Above all else, love the game. Don't put too much pressure on yourself, and trust the process. Be coachable and open to criticism. Be the BEST teammate you can be, because the best TEAMS, also produce the best players. Work hard, even on your worst day. Be a leader, especially when no one is watching.
What is a key life lesson you learned from playing soccer at Real Colorado?
The most important life lesson I learned from being a soccer player is accountability. Your actions impact your teammates, your coaches, and the family and friends who support you. Sports give you a reason to say no to peer pressure, keep you busy and out of trouble, and promote an outlet for both physical and emotional health. My career at Real gave me a confidence in myself that has never faltered, even when I have failed. Even if my own kids don't turn out to be Division I soccer players, I have no doubt they will be better people because they were part of a team at Real.
