Senior basketball players: Life after college

By Chris Furnari

Seniors Joey Kaempf, Danny Pariseau, Sean Denison, Tristan Parham, Brandon Rohe and Scott Dougherty played their final game as Broncos in the Leavey Center. All of the seniors recognized last Saturday will be moving on to pursue other endeavors, only some of which are athletic. In conversations with each of the seniors, they described their careers at Santa Clara and their plans for the future.

* Joey Kaempf

Kaempf attended Santa Clara his freshman year, but ended up transferring to Willamette University his sophomore year to play Division III basketball. After injuring his back, he decided to return to Santa Clara to focus on school. One day, while shooting hoops in the Malley Fitness Center senior year, Kaempf got his shot at glory. He was asked to participate in a scrimmage versus potential walk-ons and played well enough to earn a spot on the squad. Kaempf wasted little time signing up, and quickly proved himself in the later part of last season. Kaempf then surprised coaches with his decision to return for a fifth year, despite not receiving any financial aid.

"I decided to come back because I could play with Scott and Danny," said Kaempf. "I just knew that we would be a lot better team this year and I wanted to be a part of it."

Kaempf, who believes his best attribute is his deadly three-point shooting, calls the most recent win over Gonzaga his favorite moment as a Bronco.

"I think the Gonzaga game was one of my favorites. It was kind of surreal because there was so much on the line," said Kaempf.

After graduation, Kaempf hopes to pursue his interest in law, pending his acceptance to law school.

* Danny Pariseau

Pariseau did the unthinkable when he decided on Santa Clara. A transfer from Eastern Washington University, Pariseau elected to attend Santa Clara despite not receiving any financial aid.

While he experienced some success at EWU, Pariseau was looking for more after a coaching change brought a different style of play than he was used to. Dick Davey was his man.

"I wanted a coach that was old school and taught some more of the fundamentals," said Pariseau. "I wanted to use my redshirt year to get better."

Pariseau did just that and played well enough to earn a starting position on this year's squad. His favorite moment as a Bronco, however, may be yet to come.

"Hopefully my best memory will be when we make the NCAA tournament," said Pariseau. "But if I had to pick right now, it's the win over Gonzaga."

While Pariseau's future is undecided, he hopes to one day attend graduate business school. Pariseau is also not ruling out the possibility of continuing his basketball career overseas.

"Coach Davey wants to talk to me about it at the end of the season, so we will see what happens" said Pariseau.

* Tristan Parham

Parham is a transfer from Coffeyville Community College in Kansas. While his minutes have been limited due to knee injuries, his role on the team has been vital to Bronco success.

"My role is being a 'role player.' I am just rolling with the punches, and I don't have to do anything out of the ordinary," said Parham.

He is hoping to continue his career as a basketball player following graduation. Parham hopes to have surgery on his left knee and then focus on individual skills in an attempt to play basketball either in the U.S. or overseas.

Parham said he will also always think back to his favorite moment as a Bronco when they upset number one ranked North Carolina in 2004.

"I will never forget when we played them that night. Nothing was sweeter than that win over North Carolina," said Parham.

* Sean Denison

Hailing from British Columbia, the versatile 6'11 forward chose Santa Clara not only for its athletic program but for the academic environment it offers students.

The road to success has been anything but smooth for Denison, as injuries have plagued his career as a Bronco.

"I am happy I was able to stay healthy this year especially since we have such a balanced team," said Denison.

Denison returned this season to lead the Broncos in scoring and field goal percentage. His favorite moment came at a time when he wasn't even on the court.

"The win against North Carolina was something else. I remember thinking, 'we just beat the no. 1 ranked team in the nation,' and I didn't even play," said Denison.

Denison is hoping not only to continue his career in basketball but also to get married within the next year.

"I want to get married and hopefully keep playing basketball as long as I can," said Denison. "Eventually I want to put my physics degree to use and become a crazy science teacher."

* Brandon Rohe

Rohe has been with Davey for a third of his time as head coach. A fifth year senior, Rohe's role on the team has shifted from being a threatening outside shooter to the team's biggest fan.

Injuries have gotten the better of Rohe over the years, but that has done little to dampen his spirits. Rohe is the first Bronco off the bench for a timeout and almost always the last one to leave the gym after practice.

His dedication to the program is evident every time a player comes back to the bench.

"I just hope coach gets annoyed with me jumping up and down off the bench and puts me in," said Rohe.

Rohe hopes to pursue a career in real estate and move back home to Orange County.

"Maybe I will be the best men's league player ever," said Rohe. "I just can't believe how fast the five years has gone by."

* Scott Dougherty

As a freshman, Dougherty walked on to both the basketball and baseball teams at Santa Clara. He eventually decided to focus on basketball in his sophomore year, but credits his tough schedule freshman year as a main reason for his tough-mindedness later on. Dougherty received limited minutes in his first two seasons playing for the Broncos and was hoping to prove himself senior year. Unfortunately, due to an injury, he was forced to sit the season out.

"It was a bit demoralizing," said Dougherty. "It was tough having to sit and watch all year but it makes this year that much sweeter."

Dougherty returned for a fifth year to lead the Broncos in scoring during conference play and record a career high 23 points twice this season. His favorite moment, however, came not during a game but after last Saturday night's contest versus San Diego.

"I don't know if everyone caught it, but it was such a special moment to see coach Davey come back on the floor and give a double fist pump to the crowd," said Dougherty. "It was probably the truest emotion I have ever seen from him, and I will remember that forever."

Dougherty eventually plans to attend dental school in Portland, Ore., his hometown, but is unsure as to whether or not he will return for a possible sixth year of eligibility next season.

Contact Chris Furnari at (408) 551-1918 or cfurnari@scu.edu.