“I think the most important thing is the building of relationships, holding onto your vision and standing firm in who you are. Even if change does happen, you can still live with that. I gave it all I have, I stuck with who I am and my beliefs and I did everything I can to impact someone’s life in a positive way.

“You’re literally helping people grow up and touch their greatness. That’s something I learned as a player when Kathi Bennett would always bring that up … we’re here to touch greatness. I just fell in love with that concept. No one can tell you what your greatness is. It’s you realizing that there’s greatness in you and you striving to get that and the people around you pulling that out. Man, that’s awesome. That’s why I coach. If I get to do that other places, OK, great. If I get to do that here, that’s awesome.”

Palmer, a Watertown native, gave up a secure position at Syracuse to join Kelsey’s staff, lured by the opportunity to coach close to home and family. It’s worked out well on all fronts, as her husband Jamal spent the year as an assistant coach with the MATC men’s program in addition to his job as a social worker, and their 5-year-old daughter Payton has had a chance to bond with her grandparents and extended family members in the state. That’s why the thoughts of pulling up stakes is especially painful.