By Tom Nader

Publisher and Editor

When Curtis Black was hired as the new Kent Roosevelt boys basketball coach in June 2022, he had a blueprint to how he planned to revitalize the program.

Of the many key components, one of the most important was to surround himself with a staff of coaches who had undoubted passion for the Rough Riders.

One of the easiest ways to find coaches who fit that outline is to identify proud alumni, because the love they carry for their school and city is real, immediate and is not manufactured.

Black knew the importance this had for the future of his program.

“It was important for me to fill out my staff with Roosevelt alumni, because this school and this city are so different from others,” Black said. “It often takes Kent people to understand Kent students and the community. We don’t have the same issues that typical schools may have, so a lot of situations and things that occur are very unique and often difficult to understand.

“Our coaches know the school, community and people in it, which helps bridge the gap between school, sports and community.”

For Black, the group of coaches included alumni Rich Graves and D.J. Hickle, along with longtime Kent resident and youth basketball coach Roderick Moxley, who had two children and two other family members all graduate from Roosevelt.

“I wanted people that I could trust and people who know and understand the history of basketball in Kent,” Black said. “DJ, Rich and myself have won league championships, played in deep playoff runs and have done the work on the court. Rod was a youth coach during a majority, if not the entirety of that time. Our kids have struggled in the win column for some years, and they need to see and hear from guys on this staff that it is possible, because we’ve been there to do it.”

Black’s group includes:

RICH GRAVES

• Kent Roosevelt Class of 2012
• Three-year letterman for Cameron Black
• Won three Portage Trail Conference Metro Division basketball championships

“It means a lot to be able to give back to a place that played a significant role in my own development as an athlete and man,” Graves said. “It’s almost like a sense of loyalty, too. It’s a unique opportunity to try to give back to my own community and help try to mentor and inspire the next generation of student-athletes from the area I grew up in. Having the ability to continue traditions and teach the next athletes about the cultures and values of the programs, while being able to relate to them through similar experiences is a special feeling.”

DJ HICKLE

• Kent Roosevelt Class of 2009
• Played for Cameron Black, Ben Dunlap and Justin Gopp

“Coaching at Roosevelt means so much to me because it is a way for me to give back to a place that helped shape who I am today. The lessons I learned on and off the court have stuck with me, and I’ll do my best to pass it to the next generation.”

RODERICK MOXLEY JR.

• John Marshall Class of 1996
• Played for Jim Wasowski
• Moxley’s son graduated from Roosevelt in 2020 and his daughter in 2023. His nephew graduated from Roosevelt in 2014 and his niece in 2018. All four played basketball for Roosevelt.

“Roosevelt stands on excellence, whether in academics, athletics or any other extracurricular activity. It’s a pride felt city-wide. Since 2007, I have been coaching and developing the youth in Kent and to be blessed to continue to enhance their development as high school student-athletes makes coaching at Roosevelt very special.”