Every team needs a player who brings more to the court than talent, a player whose spirit inspires teammates to show up to practice with passion. For the past four seasons, Kate Dennis has been that player for Ohio.
The 6-foot-1-inch guard from Rockford, Illinois, has started in almost every game the past two seasons for the Bobcats. Dennis has made her mark at Ohio in more ways than one through her skill on the court and by sharing her vitality with those around her.
Dennis shared her gratitude for her family, recognizing them as her support system. In addition, she acknowledges the impact of the wisdom and friends she has gained on her journey.
“Our athletic trainer, who used to be here before he got another job, was really amazing in the sense that he gave some great advice,” Dennis said, “One thing that really stuck with me was he told us to be the CEO of you. I think that really resonated with me because I try, in every room that I walk into, every day, every game, every practice, wherever I'm at, to be the best representation of myself.” Dennis has a mentality that facilitates positivity and success. This optimistic characteristic has opened up leadership opportunities and has curated a fulfilling experience as a student-athlete. Her presence is undeniable on and off the court, her goal being to be the best part of someone's day.
As her journey playing basketball at the collegiate level is coming to a close, Dennis continues to follow her positive mindset and plans on finishing how she started. “I started playing because I loved it and because it was fun and it was an outlet. I made friends this way, and it was just something that I truly loved. Coming full circle, I just want to finish it out that way, doing my best and providing what I can,” Dennis said. “So just coming every day, giving my best for this last however long we're playing, but to just enjoy it.”
Ohio coach Bob Boldon often shines a light on Dennis and what she contributes to the team. The relationship they have built is special, benefiting the careers of one another and growing as a pair along the way.
Boldon provided Dennis the space to be herself and find her voice while being a motivator and always holding her and the team to a high standard. She describes their relationship as being strong from the beginning, with him feeling like a safe space for her and reminding her of home.
“I feel like our relationship has really developed over the course of as long as I've been here. He's really just allowed me to be myself,” Dennis said. “I felt like I was able to grow and that he would help me if I needed it. He allowed me that space and opportunity to be my own person. I feel like we both taught each other a lot of things.”
Dennis has been the player Boldon can depend on, and her dependability stretches across all areas of her life. As a business Bobcat, Dennis has harnessed her passion for education, earning Academic All-MAC for the past three seasons and CSC Academic All-District for the past two.
School is something Dennis enjoys; she is currently getting her MBA, and she plans on earning her MSA degree next year at Ohio University in the dual degree program.
“I think that overall, the school was something that I really enjoyed, which is something not a lot of people can say,” Dennis said. “Some people dread going to school, and I really enjoyed it.”
Making connections does not seem to be a skill Dennis lacks. The friends and communities she has surrounded herself with are a positive representation of who she is. She has gained an appreciation for Athens and is looking forward to continuing her education at OU.
Dennis has clear, strong expectations for herself, and much of her mindset comes back to being ‘the CEO’ of herself. Her perspective of life is bigger than basketball, she acknowledges that her experience playing basketball for Ohio has taught her more about everything: life skills, relationships and that her time here is bigger than the game itself.
“I get to do this. It's not a have to. I get to,” Dennis said. “I'm so grateful for the opportunity and everything that it's brought me. Just coming in every day, being very grateful and just trying to have fun with it as much as possible and finding the little joys and the little wins.”.
Dennis, per usual, has an optimistic outlook on the time she has left playing basketball for Ohio. She is looking forward to her next chapter of life, planning on rising to the occasion of new opportunities and using her energy to be the best version of herself. “I think that there's so much more to life than basketball, and I think it's incredibly important to represent yourself well,” Dennis said.
