Lee is one of the greatest wrestlers in United States history. He was a three-time Gold Medalist in the World Championships, a four-time Gold Medalist in the World Cup of Wrestling, a two-time Gold Medalist in the Pan American Games, a seven-time national champion, and was named the United States Wrestling Federation “Man of the Year” in 1978. He was inducted to the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1989.
Lee has lived an extraordinary life due to his accomplishments but moreso the obstacles he had to overcome to become a champion and later to surmount unexpected life challenges that would have buried the most resilient of us. His story is incredibly inspiring. Yes, it’s about passion but it’s mostly about the power of response and being the ultimate survivor. It’s also of story about the power and beauty that comes from just being a good natured, mentally fit individual.
In this talk, Lee will share his life story and impart lessons that are essential to private equity investors and private equity-backed executives. Resilience, focusing on results, dealing with adversity, understanding what it takes to become a champion in your profession — these are a few of the topics that Lee will discuss with us.
28 years after the 1980 Boycott where Lee was a favorite to win the Gold he got a chance to fulfill Olympic dreams by being selected to coach the 2008 Olympic Wrestling Team. He has been featured three times in Sports Illustrated Magazine (February 1977, April 1982, May 1982). Life Magazine featured Kemp in their “1984 Olympic Preview” issue along with Michael Jordan, Carl Lewis, Edwin Moses and Greg Louganis.
Lee Kemp was born and spent his early youth in Cleveland, Ohio and later moved to Chardon, a farming community 30 miles northeast of Cleveland, where he was a 2-time Ohio state champion finishing his junior and senior years. Kemp attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison, winning three NCAA titles. After his freshman year Lee Kemp didn’t lose another collegiate bout posting 108 victories, including a win over the legendary Dan Gable.
Lee has held marketing management roles for several Fortune 500 companies,. He has owned and successfully operated a Ford automobile dealership for 14 years and is an accomplished keynote motivational speaker including working as a “color commentator” for ESPN and the Big Ten Network. Lee Kemp continues to follow his love for wrestling by coaching and mentoring wrestlers of all ages and skill levels at camps, clinics and competitions locally, nationally and internationally. [Visit LeeKemp.com for additional information on Lee and the organizations he supports.]