The Johns Hopkins Department of Athletics debuted its Faculty-Coach initiative during the 2025-26 academic year. The program is designed to engage faculty members and create meaningful relationships and community between academic affairs and athletics by serving in a mentoring and supportive role of JHU's scholar-athletes.
 
Faculty Coaches will serve as honorary members of the coaching staff and act as an additional support person for scholar-athletes on the team.  They are available to answer academic questions and help direct scholar-athletes, particularly first year students, to the many resources available to all Johns Hopkins students.
 
The initial two-year commitment, which comes with an option to extend, provides the faculty member the opportunity to attend as many games and practices as their schedule allows, to watch games from the sideline/bench area, and to attend team-specific events, including end-of-year banquets and awards ceremonies.
 
Throughout the 2026-27 academic year, HopkinsSports.com will utilize a Q&A format to allow fans to learn more about a team's designated Faculty-Coach.  Today, we introduce David Kraemer, the Faculty-Coach for the Blue Jay Field Hockey Team.

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Name:  David Kraemer
 
Faculty-Coach Team:  Field Hockey
 
Alma Mater:  Notre Dame
 
Position/Title at Johns Hopkins:  Associate Teaching Professor, Mechanical Engineering
 
Year at Johns Hopkins in 2026-27:  14^th
 
Tell us a little about your own athletic background: 
I have been a decent casual athlete; I can jump into most sports, but I have never been particularly good at any one sport. I played a lot of soccer, on teams through high school and then pick-up at work. Now my knees are done with soccer, so I dabble a bit with mountain-biking and I try to play tennis at least weekly.


What is your favorite sport: 
I love sailing. I don't own a boat, but I love sailing anything from 12-foot dinghies to 46-foot catamarans to windsurfers (old dog, new trick).
 
How did you become involved in the Johns Hopkins Athletics Faculty-Coach program: 
I had some field hockey players in my freshman class. I think they nominated me.
 
While the program is still in its infancy, tell us about your experience working with your team thus far: 
I have not done a lot as a faculty coach so far, especially since I have not been through a season yet. However, it has been nice to interact with the team briefly at a practice, and a few events. And Coach Jane has been great to work with!
 
As the faculty-coach for the team, what is your goal or what do you hope to accomplish: 
I just hope that the student-athletes on the team see that faculty are interested in their success in and outside of the classroom.
 
Either since you assumed this role or before that time, what is your most memorable Johns Hopkins Athletics experience: 
I can't think of anything in particular. I have always enjoyed seeing D3 athletes out there giving a huge effort for the love of sport and competition.
 
If you have had the opportunity to have scholar-athletes in your class (from your team or others), please describe your experience with them as students:
I have had positive experiences with student athletes throughout my time at JHU.
 
What would you tell faculty members who are not involved about this program: 
It is a good way to see our students from another perspective.
 
Tell us something about yourself that not many people are aware of or that you think people would find interesting:
I raced on a college club sailing team.