All-Star cousins to join forces on college team

By Jennifer Eisenbart

Sports Editor

In March of this year, Burlington residents Ty Dennis and Cal Kempken were doing what future college roommates do – complete housing assignments and figuring out how to live together in a college dorm room.

The two, third cousins, are both attending the University of Minnesota-Mankato to play football.

And at the time, the two were wondering when – or if – they’d get calls to participate in the Wisconsin Football Coaches Association All-Star game.

That evening, Cal got the call to participate, and Ty did not.

“I felt bad, because Ty didn’t get it,” said Kempken, a Catholic Central High School graduate who played on the line for the ‘Toppers. He didn’t need to worry, though, as Dennis eventually got the call to participate as well.

Dennis, a tight end for Burlington High School, got the call about a month later.

Waterford standout offensive and defensive lineman Brandon Miller also played in the game. Miller is committed to play on scholarship for North Dakota in the fall.

For the two Burlington cousins, though, the experiences were slightly different. Dennis was part of the South Large Schools team, which beat the North 47-19. Dennis caught a pair of passes for 127 yards, including a second-quarter 63-yard touchdown from Wisconsin walk-on Connor Senger.

“The atmosphere was cool,” Dennis said. “It was packed with people. The field was pretty cool, playing on a college field.”

Kempken, meanwhile, got shifted to center – a position he has never played – for the contest, and the South Small Schools team came up just short, 20-19. The team missed a pair of extra points after the kicker got hurt.

“I was pretty excited,” said Kempken. “It’s something I’ve wanted to do since my sophomore year.”

In order to participate in the game, both needed to raise at least $500 for Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin. Kempken raised more than $1,500, and Dennis $1,450 – with only about two weeks to raise it because of his late notice of participation.

“I thought that was pretty impressive,” said Dennis, who added that Best Bargains and the Burlington Coaches Association both made large donations. “I only had to raise $500, so exceeding that was awesome.”

Added Kempken, “All the people donated pretty generously.”

As a whole, the players set a new record in donations, raising more than $377,000 for Children’s Hospital.

Now the two get to focus on college. Neither has turned 18 year – Dennis’s birthday is on Aug. 20, Kempken’s on Aug. 28. They report for football camp at Mankato on Aug. 14.

“It’s just crazy how fast everything is happening,” said Dennis.

Both will probably end up redshirting – a common practice for college freshmen in football – but at the same time, both feel they are ready for the challenge.

“I’m very excited for college. I’m really ready,” said Kempken. “I’ve been working pretty hard.”

Added Dennis, “I think I’m ready for the jump. I’m just not sure what to expect.”