There are a lot of descriptive titles you can give Kevin Moore: Air Force veteran, successful Business major, husband, dad, volunteer, taker of the world's best green screen photo, wrestler, mixed martial arts competitor … But at the end of the day, the title he is wearing most proudly is student-athlete. 
 
Like many University of Southern Maine student-athletes, Kevin is clearly a master of time management – a skill that is not only highly-sought after by future employers, but one that is required when earning the privilege of the title student-athlete. 
 
And for Kevin, it is his second go-around as a USM student-athlete.  And, it has given him an outstanding perspective. 

 
Like many Huskies, Kevin came to USM right out of high school in the fall of 2013.  But even that was in question as Kevin says after a disappointing showing at the State Championships his senior year of high school, he was a bit put off by the sport. 
 
But regardless, former USM wrestling head coach Joe Pistone told him to give it a shot.
"Coach Pistone could convince you to do anything."

And he did. However, it hasn't always been an easy road for Kevin, who is in is final season as a Husky student-athlete nearly seven years after his first year in Gorham.
 
"My first go round at USM, I did a year and a half. I was an Athletic Training major, and I thought I was hot; I thought I was 'the thing.'  I thought I was everything and a bag of chips when it came to being on-campus and being a wrestler.  But my priorities were out of whack," said Moore.
 
Struggling to find success on the mat, and balance his academic responsibilities, Kevin struggled to thrive in his first three semesters as a Husky.
 
"I could have probably turned it around, and made it a success, but I was in my head about a lot of stuff," said Moore. "I take full responsibility for that.  I made some toxic choices and I didn't leave USM the right way.  I left my courses, took the Fs, blamed circumstances and others for my shortcomings, and just removed myself."
 
Despite, as he described, making bad choices, Kevin managed to find his way, growing as a person. And part of that is thanks in part from his experiences in the United States Air Force.
 
"I was living at home, kind of bumming it and kind of down, and my older brother told me about the Air Force.  Before that, I never saw myself as a member of the military. No way. I wasn't going to be a cop.  I wasn't going into the military. But fast forward a few months, and I am in the security forces as a member of the United States Air Force. And I learned a lot about myself really fast, and I learned how much tougher I was mentally than I thought I could be," said Moore.
 
Kevin contends that his personal growth while in the Air Force was driven by his past experience with the sport of wrestling.
 
"I think wrestling set me up to do well in the Air Force. I never had a problem with wrestling; I had a problem with my academics and priorities.  Because of wrestling, I knew what hard work could be as long as I was willing to work hard. I did well in the Air Force, earning War Hawk (a physical training award) and ranked up quickly."
 
During his time in the Air Force, Kevin continued to compete, and even took part in some Mixed Martial Arts competitions, and when his time was up as an enlisted service member, Kevin was looking towards the future.
 
"I knew in the back of my mind, towards the end of my enlistment, that I would be moving back to the southern Maine area," said Moore.  "And I knew there was a high probability that I would be using my GI bill to return to USM … and I started to entertain the idea of returning to the sport of wrestling."
 
Part of Kevin's draw back to USM and the southern Maine area, played a big role in his growth and his return to Huskies' wrestling – Kevin's  then girlfriend, and now wife, Sarah.
 
When he brought up the topic of beginning his collegiate wrestling career again, Sarah gave him the support and encouragement he needed.  So, he enrolled back at the University, and this time chose the field of Business. 
 

 
While working out at a local Mixed Martial Arts gym, Kevin ran into some of the Huskies' current coaching staff and picked their brains about returning to the sport.
 
"Even though I wasn't the same knucklehead as before, I was really nervous," said Moore.  "But I let them know I was interested in coming back.  But I wanted Coach Morin, who was an assistant coach back then, and Coach Santiago to know that I had worked really hard to improve myself.  And that I was going to earn the respect of my coaches and peers."
 
To their credit, the Huskies' coaching staff - which consists of several program alums including head coach Mike Morin, the program's first ever All-American, and assistant coaches Jon Duepree (a two-time All-Region and NCAA qualifier) and Peter Del Gallo (a three-time All-Region, two time NCAA qualifier and All-American) - welcomed Kevin back into the fold.
 
"I go in, I work hard, and I try to be a leader. Wins are great, and losses come, but above wins and losses, if I gain nothing else from this second chance at USM, if I have the respect of my teammates, coaches and the Athletic Department, that is a win for me."
 
And if you ask him, Kevin will tell you he has a lot more to work hard for as a new father to his infant son Jonan.
 
"My reasons have changed. It's not just about me. When it's just about you, you can let yourself down, find excuses, and you don't have to worry about how that affects others. But having a wife and having an infant – you want to be a good role model and a good example.  You want to show your son what hard work is and that you can improve for the better – on and off the mat," said Moore.
 
If you've been around the Huskies' wrestling program, you've heard Coach Morin say "Find Your Why" when his charges have to dig deep in practice and competition. And Kevin has found his why.
 
"When I'm tired and I'm struggling to get from class, to practice, I Facetime my wife and she says do it for Jonan; think about your son. Do it for Jonan.  I have my why, my wife and my son, at home. "
 
As an older student-athlete (26 years young) with an infant son at home, Kevin admits that recovery is harder, sleep is more challenging and at times his body has a few more bumps.  But he guts through his training and his multiple responsibilities knowing he can go home to his wife and son and rest and "lick my wounds," and start again the next day. 
 
Kevin met Sarah in high school – through wrestling – and as he puts it, "she's stuck by me even when I wasn't the best version of myself," and he knew during basic training that he was going to ask her to marry him.
 
"You only get a few phone calls in basic training," said Moore. "She was one of them and another was to my mom. I remember telling my mom, I needed to find a ring for when I get back.  Sarah has been a great support and I wouldn't be able to do what I am doing right now without her confidence and support in me."
 
Kevin's hard work, and commitment to himself, his family, his academics and the sport of wrestling have paid off.  This past weekend, Kevin opened his 2021-22 season with a dominating 16-0 win by technical fall as the Huskies' rolled Bridgewater State 30-12 in their first dual match of the year.
 
Kevin is also on pace to complete his bachelor's degree in Business this summer and earn his minor in Coaching. And he is finding comfort in knowing that he will be completing his years as a collegiate wrestler on his own terms. 
 
"I don't want to leave anything on the table. I want to go and get after guys on the mat. I want to show people, if nothing else, that you can change and start yourself anew in a positive direction.  I'm grateful for the sport of wrestling, the military, and the coaches for helping me achieve my goals and to grow as a person," said Moore. "And the guys on the team, guys like Jake Peavey, Antoine Grace, Juan Vernaza, and Raul Gierbolini  – those are really good guys who have really helped me, and I am learning from guys like that who are a few years younger than me who are great leaders."
 
And although Kevin doesn't really see himself as leader, his actions on and off the mat, his level of commitment and dedicated work ethic are making an impression on those around him.  He's shared his story with his teammates.
 
"I'm very vocal about my story," says Moore. "I tell them, hey, I was a quitter. When things got tough, I gave up. I took my ball and went home, and it was the wrong thing to do, and you will regret it. You can't be half in. I'm all in now.  I really feel like I've been on the most amount of borrowed time, and I am grateful for this opportunity."
 
Up next? Kevin isn't sure. He'll be competing, recently fighting in his first Ju Jitsu match. He really wants to coach, and he wants to own a business. But if anything, Kevin's mental toughness, drive and commitment to himself and his family will ensure success – just as he has been as a student, husband, father, athlete, veteran and more. 

- cac -