Jimmy Lafakis/MDN Mark Kennedy pictured before a Surrey basketball game. Kennedy coaches at Surrey and also umpires baseball games.

Mark Kennedy is the Surrey High School head football coach and an assistant coach for the Surrey girls basketball team. In addition to coaching, Kennedy also umpires various sporting events in the area.

The Minot Daily News caught up with Kennedy for a recent one-on-one interview. Some responses are edited for brevity and clarity.

MDN: When you think about Surrey, what’s the first thing that comes to mind?

MK: When I think about Surrey, I think about football and the growth we have had as a program. To think that we are still building is awesome.

MDN: What does being a Mustang mean to you?

MK: Being a Mustang means a lot to me. This is my first head coaching job. The town, the kids, all of it just means so much. We strive on being the best individuals we can be while keeping in mind that we cannot be perfect.

MDN: Why is coaching special to you?

MK: Coaching is special because of the fact that you can build relationships and bonds that can last a lifetime. Yeah, certain highlight plays will be remembered. But the relationships that were built throughout the season or seasons and how people acted towards each other are usually not forgotten.

MDN: How do you balance the sports you coach?

MK: Balancing multiple sports can be tough sometimes. As for me, I try not to think about football while I’m in a different season. With colleges recruiting and football on television until the end of January, I still find myself doing football stuff. The spring is tough, as I have friends back in California who are coaches. They get two weeks of spring football. Listening to their spring stories gets me every time.

MDN: What lessons have you learned from the student-athletes over the years?

MK: I have learned that no athlete is alike. As much as I say this kid reminds me of this or reminds me of that, each kid is different and brings a unique set of skills. As a coach, it is my job to get that kid to use his or her skillset to the best of their ability.

MDN: What have you learned through being an umpire?

MK: Umpiring is me staying a part of another game I love and enjoy. I have learned so much from the other umpires in the area. I am thankful for the guys I have had an opportunity to umpire with. Most importantly, the kids and coaches. I have learned patience. When you’re the guy behind the plate everyone is waiting on you to make the call. Strike or ball, out or safe. I have also learned that humans rarely see things the same, but that is what makes the game so special. I believe this is true with all sports.

MDN: What’s it like to umpire athletes that you know from school?

MK: Umpiring kids that I know is really fun. It is all part of relationship-building and showing the kids that it is OK to talk to one another. It is OK to have friendly battles on the ball field, and it is OK to have fun with kids that they don’t know. As an umpire or an official, we are just as much a part of the learning curve for these young athletes as the coaches are. The kids are watching and learning from all who are out there.

MDN: What do you like to do in your free time?

MK: In my free time I try to catch up with friends from home, spend time with my son, and play NBA 2K. In the summertime, I try to take a trip to Target Field and watch some baseball. I also listen to football stories from Scott Grochow and Lyall Krueger.

MDN: If your life was a movie, who would play your role?

MK: I would pick Cedric the Entertainer to play me in a movie. My first pick was Denzel Washington. But I’m thinking Cedric the Entertainer resembles my stature and he is a true comedian. I don’t think I’m funny, but I love to laugh.

MDN: Any funny stories from umpiring come to mind?

MK: I was umpiring the bases at Corbett Field, and this one play had three kids running to first base at the same time. The guy who hit the ball, the guy who was already on base and the first baseman. My call came out a little slow and the coach (he knows who he is) yelled, ‘Come on, pull the trigger,’ meaning make the call. It was a bang-bang play and it got me. I look over and the coach is smiling with his hands up. He’s saying, ‘Come on.’ I think we have laughed about that a couple times after, but that’s my funny moment from umpiring.

MDN: Do you listen to any podcasts to help you get through the day?

MK: I do not listen to podcasts. I usually listen to contemporary jazz music. Boney James, Dave Koz, and Brian Culbertson to name a few. If it’s not that, it’s Motown with artists like The Temptations, Smokey Robinson and Marvin Gaye.

MDN: What are your favorite books at the moment?

MK: Right now, my favorite book is cracking the U.S. History exam. I am studying to become a history teacher.

MDN: What is your go-to Starbucks order?

MK: Green tea lemonade and a cake pop. I will leave the change for either the car behind me or whatever charity they have going on.

Jimmy Lafakis covers Minot High School sports and Class B high school sports. Follow him on Twitter @JJLII30.