Chris Champeau affectionately known as “Coach Shempy” is truly a passionate and dedicated individual whose journey from Cleveland to Wall Street ultimately led him to pursue his true calling as a basketball coach and mentor. Growing up one of seven kids in Cleveland, Coach Shempy developed a lifelong love for the Browns and a deep-seated appreciation for community values.
After spending two decades on Wall Street, Coach Shempy made the decision to follow his passion for coaching basketball and mentoring young athletes. Throughout his career, he prioritized attending all of his two daughters’ athletic and other events, embodying the commitment to family and community that defines his character.
Coach Shempy’s coaching journey began as an Assistant Coach at Northwood University in West Palm Beach, where he played a pivotal role in building a brand-new basketball program from the ground up, under the mentorship of legendary Villanova National Champ Coach Rollie Massimino. He helped lead the Seahawks to the NAIA March Madness tournament in their inaugural season.
In 2010, Coach Shempy took on the role of Head Boys’ Basketball Coach at Rumson Fair Haven High School, where he has established a culture based on the tenets of “Attitude,” “We play for those that went before us,” and “Tradition never graduates.” Coach Shempy’s grassroots approach, building from the “Town Up,” fosters camaraderie, inclusion, and team spirit within the community. Shempy prides himself on considering his players “Dawgs 4 Life,” a true family with relationships that extend beyond the court and the four years of high school. Numerous alumni return to their basketball family for reunion events and to help advise and mentor current RFH basketball players.
Since taking over the program, Coach Shempy has led the Rumson Fair Haven High School Boys’ Varsity Basketball Team to numerous championships and division titles. In 2015, the Dawgs won the first Shore Conference Championship in school history. Throughout his tenure at RFH he brought the team to four State Championships, bringing home the title in 2017, 2018 and 2022 and five division titles. Coach Shempy has also been recognized and honored with numerous coaching awards.
Shempy is also a founding partner of The Fort Athletic Club, a community-based health club that goes beyond fitness, actively partnering with local charities such as Lunch Break and Family Promise to make a positive impact in Monmouth County. Additionally, alongside Randy Foye, he co-founded and served as the president of The Randy Foye Foundation, channeling their efforts into a program focused on improving the lives of middle school students in Newark, NJ.
