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How Ohio State's tournament over Thanksgiving is bringing Kevin McGuff's family together
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- How Ohio State's tournament over Thanksgiving is bringing Kevin McGuff's family together
At their core, the McGuffs are a basketball family.
Being so dedicated to the sport has made it difficult to spend the holidays together, especially Thanksgiving.
Kevin McGuff , in his 12th season coaching Ohio State women's team , is usually on the road for a tournament. Lately, the same has been true for the family's two oldest children, Kilyn and Keiryn McGuff, who are playing collegiately for Butler and Bowling Green , respectively.
Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Kevin McGuff hugs his daughter Bowling Green Falcons guard Keiryn McGuff (14) before the game at Value City Arena on Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio.
Last Thanksgiving, for instance, the family of eight was all over the map.
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The Buckeyes were in the Bahamas , while Letitia McGuff, Kevin's wife, took the younger kids to watch Kilyn, who was with Belmont at the time, play near Las Vegas. Keiryn and the Falcons had a tournament in Savannah, Georgia. A family friend and aunt attended those games.
"If we could go with Kevin, we would," Letitia McGuff said, "but when they started to play high school sports, then we weren't able to go. So, traditionally, that's how we've handled Thanksgiving."
That's what makes this year special.
Ohio State is set to play two games in Daytona Beach, Florida, as part of a holiday tournament, one in which Bowling Green also happens to be a participant. Across the state, about five hours away, Butler has three games in Bonita Springs.
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With the three teams tournament playing within 278 miles of each other, nearly the whole family is able to be together for Thanksgiving.
"It'll be fun," Kevin McGuff said. "So, my wife and my other children are going to come to Daytona for a couple days. Then they're going to go down to (Bonita Springs). So, we're going to be all over, but more of an opportunity to be around each other than we normally get."
Letitia McGuff (middle) next to daughter Kilyn (back) surrounded by her children (left to right) Lukas, Lily, Leks, Lake, Keiryn
Keiryn McGuff knew she'd be seeing her father at the tournament but was unaware that her mother and siblings were also going to Daytona Beach. According to Letitia, they told Keiryn that the family was just going to Kilyn's games, to surprise their younger daughter.
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Being in Florida also makes it possible for the McGuffs to see Letitia's aunt and sister, who live in the Sunshine State.
The only person who will be missing is the third oldest McGuff, Lukas. A sophomore at Dublin Coffman, he had his season opener against Dublin Jerome on Wednesday night.
"This is the feeling, trying to balance it all," Letitia McGuff said. "Feeling great, excited to do all this, then at the same time like, 'Oh my gosh, that's such a big game.' ... But with Lukas being at home, doing his thing, maybe he gets to do it with a (little) freedom and be excited to share it with us."
The McGuffs have relied on extended family to ensure no one is alone on the holiday, and it is no different for Lukas, who will have Letitia's niece with him for his game.
Dec 22, 2023; Columbus, OH, USA; Belmont Bruins guard Kilyn McGuff (12) gets a hug from her dad, Ohio State Womens Basketball Head Coach Kevin McGuff following their game at Value City Arena.
While distance has admittedly made the holidays difficult at times, it's a sacrifice the whole family is willing to endure for the sport that brings them together.
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"I'm trying to realize, in this life, we're really blessed with every breath we take, every opportunity we get," Letitia McGuff said. "How (Kevin is) designing his life with the program is important, and so is each of our family members, from our 11-year-old on up. And we honor that and support each other and then allow each other space to do what we want to do."
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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: How OSU women's Kevin McGuff will be with family over Thanksgiving
