By Tom Nader

Publisher and Editor

“Getting to Know” is a standard Portage Sports feature created to spotlight the coaches and administrators that are guiding today’s Portage County student-athletes to be tomorrow’s leaders.

Today, we get to know Kent Roosevelt High School wrestling coach Chris Dunfee, who is in his first season leading the Rough Riders.

Q: Hometown?

A: Diamond, Ohio.

CHRIS DUNFEE

Q: High school?

A: Southeast High School (Class of 2000). Wrestled and ran cross country.

Q: Secondary education?

A: Attended a trade school.

Q: Current occupation?

A: Union carpenter for 22 years.

Q: What inspired you to become a coach?

A: I know the impact coaches have had on my life. I want to have that same impact on kids’ lives.

Q: What makes being a coach at Kent Roosevelt special to you?

A: My wife is a Roosevelt graduate. As we became involved in the community, I came to love it and it has become home for us.

Q: Who has been your biggest influence?

A: Probably my dad, Bill. He was the one that introduced me to this sport in the second grade. He was my youth wrestling coach. He always talked about how important the basic fundamentals of the sport are and that you will only get out of the sport what you put into it.

Q: Funny story nobody would believe from your coaching career?

A: When I was coaching middle-school wrestling, we showed up to a tournament and the host school put us in a locker room to get ready to compete. After getting ready, one of our wrestlers looked at the coaches confused because there were no urinals and only toilets. We had to explain to him that they had given us the women’s locker room to get ready.

Q: Favorite TV show?

A: NCIS.

Q: Favorite movie?

A: Fireproof.

Q: Favorite musical artist?

A: Need to Breathe.

Q: Favorite meal?

A: Prime rib, with mashed potatoes and green beans.

Q: Best vacation?

A: A cruise to the Caribbean with my wife.

Q: Shoutout to former teammates?

A: Mike Kemble made me better every day. Nate Keppler was the best drill partner I could ever ask for. So many guys from those league-championship teams.

Q: Favorite motto?

A: Winners never quit and quitters never win.

Q: Describe your coaching philosophy?

A: Fundamentals are the most important part of the sport. I am going to be intense and push you to be your very best. We are going to outwork our opponents and always work to close the gap on the competition.

Q: Favorite restaurant?

A: Brimfield Family Restaurant.

Q: Favorite teacher from high school?

A: Mr. Dunn.

Q: Advice you would give the younger version of yourself?

A: Always be true to yourself. The important relationship you will have, will be with God. Don’t be shy about it. Instead, be a bright light for Him.

Q: Favorite coach from your playing days?

A: Coach (Ralph) Graham. As a youth wrestler, I dreamed of the day I could wrestle for him. He had a big impact on my wrestling, but had just as much of an impact on me off the mat.

Q: Coaching resume?

A: Hoban assistant (1 year), Rootstown assistant (1 year), Akron Ellet assistant (1 year), Kent Roosevelt youth and middle-school assistant (11 years), Kent Roosevelt varsity coach (1 year).

Q: Favorite sports team?

A: Cleveland Browns.

Q: Favorite athlete then?

A: Eric Metcalf.

Q: Favorite athlete now?

A: CJ Stroud and Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah.

Q: First job as a teenager?

A: Burger King.

Q: Family member that always gave you the best advice?

A: My late brother Donnie was always someone that I could talk to about anything and always offered wisdom. My parents, Bill and Lynda, have always been supportive of me and offer great advice.

Q: Favorite candy?

A: Reese’s.

Q: First car?

A: 1987 Cadillac Coupe DeVille.

Q: Best friends?

A: My awesome wife of 15 years Jessica. My coaching staff, Ryan, Mark, David, JP, Dave, Cory, have been with me for years and are all like family.

Q: Most memorable moment as a player?

A: Winning the Ironman Tournament my senior year or taking second at state my junior and senior years.

Q: Most memorable moment as a coach?

A: Beating Ravenna this year in a very exciting dual. Seeing a kid win his first match is also an amazing feeling.