K.J. Kindler 2006 - Iowa State University Alumni Association

K.J. Kindler 2006

K.J. Kindler

K.J. (Kathie Jo) Kindler

BA Speech Communication ’92
Norman, Okla.

After seven years as head coach of the ISU women’s gymnastics team, there is little doubt that K.J. Kindler has made an indelible impact. Although she left ISU to replace Steve Nunno as head coach at the University of Oklahoma in June, the impact she has made upon the program will undoubtedly carry it forward in the spirit of excellence for years to come.

Kindler dedicated 18 years of her life to Cyclone gymnastics. As a freshman student-athlete in 1989, she was ISU’s first-ever individual NCAA regional qualifier. She was the 1992 Big Eight Conference runner-up in the all-around. Immediately after graduating with a speech communication degree that same year, she joined the Iowa State gymnastics staff as an assistant to Amy Pyle. And when Pyle retired eight years later, it was Kindler she wanted to take over the program, citing her passion for gymnastics and drive to succeed.

Kindler coached eight regional event champions, 11 NCAA individual championship qualifiers, and 18 Big 12 champions during her time at Iowa State. Gymnasts on her roster earned All-America honors nine times. In 2006, she led the Cyclones to their first Big 12 title in six years and their first-ever appearance in the NCAA’s Super Six. The 2006 ISU squad boasted three Big 12 individual event outright or co-champions. She coached Janet Anson, who was the ISU female Student-Athlete of the Year in 2004 and 2006 and the Big 12 Gymnast of the Year in 2006.

“As a young coach, I was given an incredible opportunity to join the Iowa State gymnastics staff,” Kindler said. “They put trust in a young woman with little experience and a big heart. I will always be grateful for their leap of faith. I will carry with me many memories of awesome accomplishments and wonderful student-athletes.”

Kindler was named Big 12 Coach of the Year three times during her tenure at Iowa State and was the National Association of Collegiate Gymnastics Coaches/Women (NACGCW) Coach of the Year in 2005. In 2006, she was named the North Central Regional Coach of the Year.  She owned and directed Cardinal Gymnastics Academy in Ames for six years with her husband and fellow coach, Lou Ball. They produced four USA Gymnastics National Team members, three full scholarship recipients and numerous state team titles and individual regional and national titles.

Kindler is an ISU Alumni Association annual member.

© 2012 Iowa State University Alumni Association. All rights reserved.