Kemp Gouldin ’02 is the founder of Because Baseball, a nonprofit that uses baseball as a bridge for cross-cultural exchange and community-building in Egypt and beyond. On this episode, guest host Olu Kopano ’26 speaks with Kemp about the origins of Because Baseball, its impact in Egyptian schools, orphanages, and community programs, and how Morehead-Cain Scholars and Alumni have supported the organization. From a “Field of Dreams”-inspired vision to a growing international community of young athletes, Kemp reflects on how sport can become a language of connection, and what it takes to build something from the ground up.
Kemp Gouldin ’02 is the founder of Because Baseball, a nonprofit that uses baseball as a bridge for cross-cultural exchange and community-building in Egypt and beyond.
On this episode, guest host Olu Kopano ’26 speaks with Kemp about the origins of Because Baseball, its impact in Egyptian schools, orphanages, and community programs, and how Morehead-Cain Scholars and Alumni have supported the organization.
From a “Field of Dreams”-inspired vision to a growing international community of young athletes, Kemp reflects on how sport can become a language of connection, and what it takes to build something from the ground up.
Music credits
The episode’s intro song is by scholar Scott Hallyburton ’22, guitarist of the band South of the Soul.
How to listen
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(Olu)
Welcome to Catalyze. I’m your host, Olu Kopano from the class of 2026. I have with me today Kemp Gouldin from the class of 2002. Kemp is the founder of Because Baseball, a nonprofit that uses baseball as a bridge for cross-cultural connection and community building in Egypt and beyond. Kemp shares about the origins of Because Baseball, its impact in Egyptian schools, orphanages, and community partners, and how Morehead-Cain scholars and alumni have supported the organization. Kemp, it’s great to have you in Chapel Hill.
(Kemp)
So great to be here, Olu.
(Olu)
So, what brings you in the town and to the country right now?
(Kemp)
Well, in between our programs, in between our seasons in Egypt, I spend a lot of time here in the States traveling across the country. Telling the story, building partnerships, building support, and building momentum. So that’s why I’m here now. And currently I’m on my way to Asheville, drove in late last night and just so excited to, to be here with you this morning. And after this, head on my way down I-40.
(Olu)
Well, thank you for being here. Thank you for making the time. So, before we dive into Because Baseball, I want to start with the Carolina connection. I first learned about Because Baseball because of Andrew Patterson. I remember exactly where I was—my bed in Santiago, Chile, after summer with MLB, some summer traveling and reflecting and really thinking about my place in the sports world when it came to authentic, genuine connections and impact, social impact, and really being disillusioned about what I had seen or from what I’d seen in the sports world before. And he said, I know exactly who I need to introduce you to and exactly the organization that you should get familiar with. So that’s how our working relationship with Because Baseball formed. And here we are. So just wanted to start also by giving some shoutouts. So really starting by following in the footsteps of Carolina Coch from the class of 2023 and Hunter Vaughn from the class of 2024, who were your first Morehead-Cain interns. And it really feels like this organization has become a bridge not just for Egypt, but for our own scholars and our own community.
(Olu)
So, for you, what role has the Morehead-Cain Network played in helping grow and sustain Because Baseball?
(Kemp)
Gosh, Olu, I mean, that is so hard to quantify. It’s been indispensable. Obviously, having you and Hunter and Carolina. I mean, I just want to give a shout out to Hunter. He, for three years, was an intern with me and just an amazingly hardworking young man. But that’s been across the board. All scholars have been so impressive in what you guys have brought to the organization. Outside of that, the network has been amazing. I think of people like Bill Aiken ’72 and Margaret [Gardner ’88] and David Gardner ’88, Andrew Patterson ’06, who you brought up. All of those have been champions and supporters of our work and have really, inspired me in different ways. And then of course there’s Bobby Evans ’91. I worked for him when I was a Morehead-Cain in my summer internship and just learned so much about the professional baseball landscape. And he has been a friend since 2000 and a mentor. And even, even when I just began this journey and this idea came to me, which we’ll get to, he automatically believed in me because of our friendship and relationship. And he has been an absolute champion in the baseball world, has come with me to Egypt twice, serves on our board, and I just can’t say enough about him and the rest of the foundation there are in the Morehead-Cain Network.
(Kemp)
There are so many graduates who have their fingerprint on this program. Another guy is Taylor Sharp ’16, who has come over also twice with us to Egypt and has helped craft a lot of the really fine videos and media that we have produced that have inspired so many people to get involved and inspired Egyptian children and their parents to participate. And so again, it’s in a lot of ways, because baseball is the Morehead-Cain network and that as has really been a special thing to see. And it just speaks to the quality of individuals in this network. And just, these are people who want to do good, and they put their time and treasure behind that.
(Olu)
That’s a, that’s a great way to put it. Great thing to hear. And just from my experience with the names that you named, whether that’s Taylor, Andrew, or Bobby, I have countless experiences with all of them where they’ve opened up their network and their time just for a conversation. And I know that they’re all busy people, but Bobby ended up, we ended up going to church together with his family and taking me to dinner after. Andrew, the amount of times that I’ve called him and Taylor, the guidance that he’s given me on some projects. So, I couldn’t agree more. But I want to take listeners to Cairo for a second.
(Kemp)
Definitely.
(Olu)
Through the Lovelace Fund for Discovery, I had the opportunity, as you know, to fulfill my in-person component of the internship, which was participating in Because Baseball’s MLB Play Ball Weekend. Where there were over three hundred kids from all across Egypt. I know one hundred fifty from local orphanages, and I believe the number was thirty-three from Special Olympics Egypt. And for someone hearing about this for the first time, how would you describe what Play Ball Weekend actually looks like and feels like on the ground?
(Kemp)
I think it feels like love lived out on the baseball field. You’ve got kids from all parts of Egyptian society. As you mentioned, you have orphans, you have special needs athletes, you have kids from every socioeconomic demographic, you have girls and boys all thrown together in the field, taught by remarkable men and women both from Egypt and the United States, who just care about these kids deeply and want to share with them the joy of baseball. And again, it’s just remarkable to watch those friendships form on the field around the game of baseball.
(Olu)
That’s amazing. And as you just mentioned, coaches from the States, coaches from Egypt. I remember we had a coach who was from the States but had been living in Germany for a few years. Knowing and seeing all these different groups coming together over a sport, what really stood out to you or stands out to you most in these interactions every year that you do this?
(Kemp)
I think just the pure joy. I think there’s a rediscovery. So, I think for most of us, at its most pure form, sport is about self-discovery, it’s about growth, and it’s about just connection. And I think over the course of those Play Ball days which you experienced, all three of those come into play. And I think a few things stand out. One, the impact it has on many of these Major League players for whom the game has given them so much, whether it’s just an amazing living, amazing experiences. This is a chance for them to give back. And we’ve had a number of players who’ve come over who, once they hung up the cleats, kind of said, I’m done with it, right? I mean, it has—yes, it’s given me a lot, but it’s also consumed a lot of my life. And to watch them rediscover that joy—these are the MLB players who are visiting coaches—to watch them rediscover the joy that they felt as children when they first played the game by teaching the game to young men and women who have not ever played, to watch them rediscover that joy is remarkable.
(Kemp)
And we see that over and over again play out. And to watch the connection between a 6-foot-4 baseball player and a tiny little Egyptian girl, it’s just a special, special thing. The Odd Couple in many ways when you see it, like—it’s just humanity. Its connection played out on the field of play, and I don’t think that ever gets old. And the smiles on the faces of the coaches are as big as the smiles on the faces of the kids, and those are all big smiles.
(Olu)
Absolutely, absolutely. I’m just listening to you talk, I was just transported back into what it felt like and wanting to do that again. And again, I think all the coaches and especially in our last dinner when we had that time to reflect and bond and talk about not only the experience, but what it meant to all of us, it was, it was, it was unreal. It was probably one of the best moments of my life, honestly, especially with a sport that has given me so much. Being able to get so much again in the form of giving and by giving back was just remarkable. So, thank you from, from the bottom of my heart, honestly, for inviting me and allowing me to experience that with you.
(Kemp)
Well, you were an amazing coach, are an amazing coach, and those kids were blessed to have you. And, and I think you’ve brought up a really significant point. It really is a two-way giving. I mean, these players are giving these Egyptian youth such a great gift of their time and energy and expertise. But like you said, I mean, the joy that these players, these coaches like you get back is immeasurable. And I think that is another thing that continues to gratify, I think, as I watch. I had never really anticipated that two-way exchange, but it is of joy, but it really is happening. And I’m glad, so very grateful you got to experience it firsthand.
(Olu)
Absolutely. Absolutely. So, let’s take a step back now. Before Because Baseball existed, what did your life and career look like? I know you graduated from Carolina as a biology major. Did you ever think you were going to pursue medicine or research? Talk to us a little bit more about that.
(Kemp)
Yeah, so like everyone who comes to Carolina and walks away with a BS in biology, I, I knew I’d go into international baseball.
(Olu)
Of course, of course.
(Kemp)
Yeah, no, I mean, I arrived at Carolina pretty convinced I was going to be a pediatrician. I—my pediatrician had had a big impact on my life in terms of inspiring me and helping me sort of navigate, you know, the fear of— I mean, I remember there are stories of my parents having nurses having to hold me down when I got shot. So, I went from a great fear of the doctor to a great respect. And I thought if someone could do that for me, that’d be great to do that for other kids. So, I had a pretty much a tunnel vision. But life, you know, has a way of throwing curveballs and offering new experiences, which changes your worldview and your approach. And so, I left Carolina having taken the MCAT, but the travel during those Morehead-Cain years opened my eyes to a bigger world than I expected. And so, I left and eventually found myself working with a group that was doing Middle East language analysis software in the Middle East. And so that was my first touchpoint in the Middle East doing sales for them. And did that for a number of years until I heard a voice that said, “Bring baseball to Egypt.” Had a great Field of Dreams moment and voilà, that was a certain fork in the road and off we went on this crazy, crazy adventure.
(Olu)
Okay, voice in the road, Field of Dreams moment. What happened? What did that really feel like? I would love to know more about that.
(Kemp)
Yeah, it was just one of those moments where, you know, people ask me, what did the voice sound like? It’s hard to remember when I think back whether it was an audible voice, whether it was just a complete, fully formed germ of an idea that popped into my head. But it was that. It was fully completed. I mean, it was simple, bring baseball to Egypt. But it’s also crazy on its surface. But it made sense to me because of these disparate experiences I had had in my life. And so first I had, you know, worked in the Middle East. And so, the Middle East was a region that was familiar to me. So that part of the voice made sense. During my—as I mentioned, during my junior summer, the—or pre-junior summer as a Morehead-Cain Scholar, and I worked with Bobby in baseball. So that made sense. Now, the reality is I’d only spent two years in baseball, one at the lowest level as a player of T-ball as a 5-year-old, and then one as an intern at Major Leagues. In between, it was a grassroots thing. But still, baseball made sense to me, even in light of that perspective.
(Kemp)
And I coached a lot of youth, and I had mentored youth. So, when this idea popped into my mind, it was a coherent idea that made sense of a lot of seemingly disparate parts of my life. And, you know, I’m probably not the first person that’s heard that voice or had that idea, but I might have been the person that was just crazy enough to listen.
(Olu)
Yeah, that’s incredible, because going from software sales in the Middle East and just listening to the voice, I, I just really want to know more about what gave you the—whether or not it was the courage or leap of faith to just say, I’m going to do this. This is not something that I think, oh, I’ll put off, I’ll do it in five years, I’ll do it in ten years, or if the situation works out right. Why did you end up saying, I’m going to leave what I have that’s a path that I started to build a foundation for behind to follow a voice in my head with nothing besides the voice and a year or two of baseball, T-ball, and MLB intern experience?
(Kemp)
Naïveté? No, I mean, I joke, but I’m sure there was naïveté in there. I think anytime you embark on something hard and something new, there has to be a level of unrealistic hope, unrealistic faith. So, I think that was part of it. But I, you know, I, I also look back to my Morehead-Cain experience. Each of those summers—and I think this is where one of the real values of the Morehead-Cain—besides this amazing network, besides the amazing education—absolutely—at UNC Chapel Hill, is these summer experiences and the Lovelace Fund for Discovery. This, these—
(Olu)
absolutely—
(Kemp)
these experiences you guys now have that we didn’t have. And because I am an older alum now, build confidence, right? I had never been on a plane when I left, when I graduated high school, but I had to get on one to go to Outward Bound. And each summer I had plane flights that took me further and further afield from the East Coast life I had known up to that point. And each of those steps, each of those iterative steps gave me more confidence and more vision for what my life, what the world was like, and what my life in that world could look like. So I think with those experiences and having sort of a change in mindset that this kind of a program the Morehead-Cain gives scholars, I think that also gave me confidence that, yeah, even though this is crazy, there are people within this network that have also executed crazy ideas and have executed them to real success. So, I think, I mean, again, earlier you asked me about the Morehead-Cain. Its role in this has been immeasurably positive.
(Olu)
That’s extremely inspiring and giving me the confidence already for whenever I make the—whenever I know it’s time to take that leap of faith as well, that not only should I feel prepared and ready for it, but to know that I’ll have a community and family that’s here to back me up and support me as well. So that’s great to hear. Taking it back to Egypt for a second and into the early stages, when you first introduced the idea of baseball in Egypt, I imagine there was some skepticism. I imagine there was some, “Who is this random American white guy and what is he doing saying that he’s going to bring baseball to Egypt?” So, what were those early conversations like and how did people initially respond?
(Kemp)
I mean, the reality is, Olu, there was skepticism on both sides of the ocean. You know, Americans would say, “Oh, that sounds crazy.” And again, my friends and family, many of my friends and family said the same. And guess what? They might not have been wrong. I think the general response I got from Egyptians was along the lines of, you know, just not knowing what they didn’t know. So, for them, the response, the most common refrain I received was, “We don’t need baseball. We have soccer.” And my response to that was, “Well, your answer actually is the reason why we’re bringing baseball to Egypt.” Choice is a beautiful thing. And not every child loves a foot-eye coordination sport. Not every child is gifted in foot-eye coordination. A lot of kids are gifted with hand-eye coordination. I mean, I myself, I imagine a world in which I grew up in the United States where I didn’t have access to soccer. I played soccer, but let’s say I only had access to baseball. I never would have discovered, never would have lived into some of my potential as a young child. So that was initially what Egyptians would say, well, we already have soccer.
(Kemp)
And I said, well, that’s fine. And then others would say, well, you’re never going to overtake soccer. And I said, that’s not what this is about. I mean, it’s about giving kids the opportunity to flourish and to be the young people they are created to be. And so that has been remarkable. And guess what? Kids are kids. And any time they get to try something new and fun, they just eat it up. And the reality is not every kid likes baseball, just like not every kid likes baseball in the US. But I’d say we got about a 95% hit rate on retention and enjoyment. That’s pretty darn good.
(Olu)
Absolutely. I would say that as well. So, you were just about to—you were alluding a little bit to what it is about. So, let’s get into that. At its core, Because Baseball is more than just sport. So how would you define what Because Baseball is at its core and its mission, let’s say?
(Kemp)
That’s a great question, Olu. We’re really about bringing people together at the family, community, and cultural levels. And we use baseball as that vehicle to do so. So yes, at one level, we’re about spreading the game. We’re about empowering these young girls and boys to learn the game. All our partners that we’ve talked about—schools, orphanages, et cetera—receive their own set of equipment donated by our incredible partners across the industry. You pray, you throw a dart at a board that has the name of an equipment manufacturer in baseball, they have donated their top-quality gear to Because Baseball and to our friends in Egypt. So that’s been a beautiful thing. So, it is about spreading the sport, it is about empowering the kids to reach their full potential, but it’s also about bringing people together at different levels. So, from the family, just the simple act of a mom and dad going with their son and daughter. It’s a beautiful thing. I mean, I—for a lot of us in the United States, that’s how we learned the game of baseball. I know some of my most meaningful conversations as a child were with my parents in the backyard throwing the ball.
(Kemp)
So, it’s to give Egyptian families that same opportunity. So that means we’re teaching the parents as well.
(Olu)
Absolutely.
(Kemp)
It’s fun to watch them get out and try to hit a baseball. They’re not quite as good as their children. I mean, sure—the strike zone’s bigger, right? So, it’s just there’s more area to have to swing at, but they’re excited about it because their children are excited about it. So that’s been a beautiful thing to watch—that familial bond form through baseball. At the community level, we bring together, as I mentioned earlier, we have people from across society, all socioeconomic demographics, special needs kids, and we put them all together on the same field. They get to learn to play with each other in the hopes that as they become adults, they are—they have taken those lessons on the field of play and look at one another not as the other, but just as another. And then at the cultural level, it’s, it’s that cool cross-cultural community building between Egyptians and Americans. And so, you’ve got Egyptian and American coaches coaching together. And so that is just a beautiful thing for these young people to be a part of, to get to learn from Americans and Egyptians who they themselves are friends.
(Kemp)
That’s just a powerful lesson in what it means to be a human being.
(Olu)
A beautiful thing. A beautiful thing indeed. On the community level, you touched on it a little bit in terms of the number of communities that you touch, that you reach from across parts of Egypt, boys, girls, parents. Talk to me a little bit more about where Because Baseball is now in terms of scale, how many communities, how many kids, how many programs are you guys reaching today?
(Kemp)
Well, we have right around—so just, I think a good way to look at it is just that MLB week alone, we had twenty schools represented, six or seven orphanages and the Special Olympics. So that’s just a pretty diverse, far-reaching—
(Olu)
Absolutely.
(Kemp)
—impact. And the beautiful thing is to watch all these groups come together on the field of play and enjoy a beautiful game together. That’s incredible.
(Olu)
That’s incredible. So now looking ahead, what do the next five years of Because Baseball look like to you?
(Kemp)
Great question. I think there’s a few things as, as we look forward as an organization, and as I look forward just as an individual. Expanding in Egypt, for one. We’ve had conversations with a number of schools who are interested in forming the first school league in Egypt, and so we sort of finally have—that’s always been a hope of mine, but we’re starting to gain that critical momentum in numbers and behind it enough schools want to put the resources behind it, that gets real exciting. So, I see the first school league in Egypt for baseball being formed. Secondly, I see us operating in a few other countries. We are in conversations with a number of other countries. Just last night, my late drive was due to meeting with the Prime Minister and Ambassador of another country at an event at the embassy. As they dreamt about what it might look like for Because Baseball to partner with them. So that’s exciting to me. So, I just think of additional countries being involved. And ten years out, I would love to see a league, a pan-Middle Eastern, North Africa league of young people competing against one another, not only competing but building friendships with one another.
(Kemp)
I think it has a beautiful potential to bring people together at the international level within the region as well. And so that’s something I’m excited about.
(Olu)
I’m excited about it too, just hearing about it. So not even just—well, thinking really about the league, thinking about other countries being involved. I know I will be graduating in May. We had the opportunity to have my good friend now, Dan, to join us in Cairo last spring, last summer. There’s a lot of people in the Carolina community who not only have been involved but want to continue being involved and want to get involved. After I came back, I had a ton of friends who were curious to learn more. So, for people who are within the Carolina community, within the Morehead-Cain network, what are tangible ways that they can really get involved and support the work that you’re doing?
(Kemp)
That’s a great question, Olu. There are a number of ways. I mean, obviously we’re going to have to look for the great next Morehead-Cain intern. So, you know, if there are any undergrads listening now who think this might be a fun fit, would love to talk to you. As I mentioned earlier, I’ve just been blown away by the quality of human being, of just character of each of the Morehead-Cain Scholars that have been a part of this. And so, I am—welcoming the next iteration, the next generation. It’s not really generation, you know, because we’re like talking one or two years younger than you, Olu, but the next generation that comes on board. You know, one opportunity, you know, as you were—you joined us last year—is to come on that MLB week. Definitely. That is a delegation of approximately twenty Americans, usually with two to three MLB players. That spend a week in Cairo. And this is what obviously you got to do, Olu. You get three days of touring the great sites of Cairo, get the cultural experience, and then you get to coach. You get to be a part of the love, spreading the joy and love of baseball to these young girls and boys in Cairo.
(Kemp)
So that’s an opportunity, is to be a part of that delegation. And then of course, helping us tell the story, whether that’s—maybe, maybe someone listening has a passion like Taylor did, does for media, for the visual media, for movies, and whatever it is. If there’s a way that you’d like to be a part in that, we welcome that. And then we’re, we’re always building partnerships and raising money, so that’s another way that people can get involved to be a part of this. So, there’s numerous ways. And maybe you’re also listening. You’re a scholar. You’re an alum who thinks, hey, here’s another idea I have, or another way to get involved that Kemp hasn’t mentioned. And all ears, because as I’ve mentioned earlier, the Morehead-Cain network is just so amazing and has so much depth of wisdom and knowledge that it’s hard to even envision the great places we can go together.
(Olu)
This has all been fantastic, Kemp. I’ve enjoyed every aspect of this conversation, and I wish it could be a lot longer, but I know we’re going to have to wrap it up at some point soon. So, I really want to kick it to you to have the final word. I want to hear about what you’re excited about for Because Baseball, the future, and any last words for, for every listener today.
(Kemp)
Yeah, I’m definitely hopeful as we look forward to the next ten years. I get excited thinking about young men like you, young women like Carolina, young men like Hunter, all these scholars that have a heart for the future and want to make a positive impact. That gives me hope. It gives me hope to watch these children connect with each other, to watch—I remember watching a little girl meet a young man who has Down syndrome and watching her go from staring at him with her mouth agape to introducing herself, him introducing himself, and then they were friends. They no longer—there was no awkwardness. They were just two kids on the field of play playing baseball. That’s what gives me hope. Look, the world’s a crazy place. It always has been. And I do think young people want to connect. And so, as I watch them on the field of play, I do think the future of humanity is bright. But we have to put these young people in positions to build these relationships and to experience joy together.
(Olu)
I couldn’t agree more, Kemp. People are looking to connect. Sport is a way to do it. And you found a way to bring that to Egypt. So, I want to thank you for everything that you do to represent sport and bringing this spirit of connection abroad. And leave us, leave us there. It’s been an honor.
(Kemp)
Thanks. It’s always a pleasure to be with you, Olu, and thanks for your time.
(Olu)
Thank you. Thank you for listening to Catalyze. I’m your host, Olu Kopano from the class of 2026, and that was Kemp Gouldin from the class of 2002. You can let us know what you thought of this episode or who you want to hear next by emailing us at communications@moreheadcain.org or on social media @moreheadcain.