Kerinn & Abel Tillman met at Salem University just over seven years ago. They both currently work at the Laureate Academy in New Orleans, Kerinn is the Assistant Principal, and Abel teaches K-6 Physical Education.
 
Both Kerinn and Abel were successful athletes at Salem, utilizing their skill sets to make a difference at Laureate Academy. Kerinn was a graduate transfer from Division I Cal State Bakersfield, and led the team in scoring during her time at Salem. Kerinn had an impressive 75 goals in her career at Salem, averaging 3 goals a game, with 10 of them coming against Division I competition.
 
Coach Rob Bullion on Kerinn: "Kerinn came to our program that was very young, and needing to grow, from a strong Division 1 program. Her efforts along with others have helped the women's program get to the success that it is today. She has done incredible things in her professional career and is a great representation of this university. Although, I didn't know Abel very well, but I do remember the spectacular slam dunks he would throw down on the basketball court. He was a great player as well."
 
Abel was a two year member of the men's basketball team at Salem, averaging just over double figures in scoring during his time. Abel was part of a superb defensive unit for the Tigers, who led the GMAC in blocked shots, and ranked 9^th in the country in the same category in 2013-2014. Abel managed to have 2.8 blocks per game in his career at Salem, with an astonishing 118 blocks in a two year span.  
 
The couple got married last February, and have an 18 month old son named Abel (goes by AJ).  Kerinn & Abel refuse to stay stagnant, as Abel hopes to start the first ever sports team at Laureate Academy, and Kerinn hopes to start New Orleans first club water polo team.
 
Learn more about Kerinn & Abel in our Q&A session below!

Kerinn: 
Q: How did you find Salem? I decided to finish my undergraduate degree at California State University Bakersfield early and I really wanted to go into my masters.  I played water polo at the time and really wanted to continue playing so I reached out to numerous schools and really wanted to play for Keith Bullion so the rest is history!
 
Q: What was your favorite memory during your time at Salem? Honestly, I really enjoyed the times when we could all hang out in our dorms with one another.  It was so nice to have such a close nit community on campus.  The majority of us were athletes so we easily clicked and hung out all the time. 
 
Q: What was the best advice you have ever received from a Coach (at Salem or not)? When leading others it is less about you and more about them.  I came to Salem to play water polo and it was the first year they had restarted a women's team after a hiatus.  I was pretty selfish and didn't really understand the weight of my actions or words on my team until I came to this realization.  It is not always easy or convenient to lead others but it is often what we must do in order to ensure a team is successful.
 
Q: How would you describe yourself as an athlete? Relentless and resilient.  I wanted to win at all costs and if I couldn't win I wanted to know I was the best and that if we didn't win that I knew I did all I could have.  Even to this day, in my personal and professional life I am very competitive and being the best at what I do drives me. 
 
Q: What do you miss most about your time at Salem? The ability to play water polo with people who love it as much as I do.  Currently there are no master water polo programs in New Orleans and hopefully I can change that in a few years because the need to play is always there for me. 
 
Q: What was your plan upon graduation? And how did it change? My plan upon graduation was to get a job in the nonprofit sector.  I received a BA from CSU Bakersfield in Education and a MBA in International Business from Salem and I wanted to use both of them.  After graduating I worked at the Summit Center in Clarksburg and then was admitted into Teach for America where I was placed in New Orleans to teach Special Education.  I taught Special Education K-2 for 2 years then transitioned into general education for 3 years after that and now I am in my second year as an Assistant Principal, so I guess my plan didn't differ much from what I do now. 
 
Q: If you could give a college athlete any advice, what would it be? SOAK IT ALL IN.  This is one of the only times in your life that you may be able to dedicate yourself completely to your craft.  Do not take for granted any practice, drill or game.  It goes by fast and you will be chasing that feeling you have in the pool, on the court or on the field for the rest of your life. 
 
Abel: 
Q: How did you find Salem? After I was released from my previous school Coach Unger had given me a call about playing at Salem.  I spoke with him and decided to make the jump and go there. 
 
Q: What was your favorite memory during your time at Salem? Playing basketball with people who really had a love for the sport and being able to meet others from around the world and learning about their culture. 
 
Q: What was the best advice you have ever received from a Coach (at Salem or not)? Take care of your business, make sure you are just as successful on the court as off.  Make sure you are putting your education first and leading with that. 
 
Q: How would you describe yourself as an athlete? I am a focused and patient athlete.  I always worked to make sure I was the very best I possibly could be and knew that I needed to be patient with my team in order for us to be successful. 
 
Q: What do you miss most about your time at Salem? Being able to focus solely on my craft as a player.  We have a son now and a career that I really enjoy but that leaves less time to just pick up the ball and play like I have before. 
 
Q: What was your plan upon graduation? And how did it change? My original plan was to play basketball professionally.  I had a few contracts that didn't work out so I decided to give teaching a try.  Now I get to combine education with athletics and it is the perfect combination for me. 
 
Q: If you could give a college athlete any advice, what would it be?  Pay attention to detail both professionally and personally.  Pay attention to the degree you are getting, the classes you are taking, the jobs you are applying for as much as you pay attention to how you dribble the ball, shoot a 3 pointer etc. All of those details add up to a fulfilling life when you pay attention to them.