Coach Kathryn Kindle is a life-long Spartan who has a mission.
Coach Kathryn Kindle continues with her long time involvement at TJ. Photo By Rachel Uyemura
Coach, former teacher, and parent, Kathryn Kindle has done a lot for TJ in the 20 years she has been here, and has inspired a new era in basketball and teaching.
Kathryn was born in the small town of Pine Bluff, Arkansas, where she graduated from Southeast High School. “Growing up was hard; it was a lot different from the life we live today,” says Kindle, as she explains about the segregation in the 1950s and 60s. But, that didn’t stop her from going to college; she attended the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, where she majored in social science in order to be able to teach history.
Immediately after Kathryn graduated she wanted to become a teacher, so she moved on to get her teaching degree. She started teaching at Altheimier High School and she realized this was her passion.
While Kathryn was settling in to her new teaching job, she found out her son had Sickle Cell Anemia, a disease in which red blood cells form an abnormal crescent shape, which can cause problems such as stroke, joint pain, joint destruction, and kidney failure. “I couldn’t see my son go through that so I had to get him into a program right away,” said Kindle. As she did research she came across a hospital in Denver, CO that insured her son a spot in the program if they moved to Denver. “That’s when I knew I had to pack up and move,” said Kindle. She left Arkansas and moved to Denver in 1979.
When she came to Denver her whole life transformed, but she managed to keep teaching. She also decided to get a coaching job at Merrill Middle School, coaching basketball, and then moved to South High school and became Head Track Coach. She started teaching Afro-American and American history, sociology, and psychology at Montbello High School in 1980. After one year she was transferred to TJ. In 1985, she became a Spartan, and she’s been one ever since. “When I first came here it was a different environment that I didn’t really like; no teachers talked to me except my departmental chairman. I was the only African American teacher in the core classes, and they treated me differently,” said Kathryn. But Kindle would soon become one of the most respected faculty members on the staff, and says she enjoyed a long and fruitful career at TJ.
She became the head basketball and softball coach at TJ after just two years of teaching. “Growing up I was a guard, and basketball has always been my favorite sport. When I got the coaching job I was excited to coach the very enthusiastic girls that I had,” said Kathryn. She says she enjoyed teaching and that while she was here at TJ she taught six different subjects, including Afro-American History, American History, civics, social problems, sociology, and psychology. “I loved teaching; man, that was my favorite thing,” added Kathryn.
Kindle says she got more interested in basketball as the years went by; it also got a lot harder for her as she lost one son to Sickle Cell. “I had to keep my head up and move on,” said Kindle. Basketball became her priority, as she started leading her girls to many city titles, undefeated seasons, and Final Fours. “I tell you, we were the team to beat. Everyone was talking about us; I worked my players,” said Kathryn, laughing about the amazing team she had. “I had players that were committed and they always worked hard for the win,” she added. Many of her girls also went on to play college ball. “The player that I remember the most was Leslie Vest. Oh, she was something else; she got a full-ride scholarship to a division two college,” said Kathryn. When her Spartan teams got two city championships, they were the team to beat, keeping their record undefeated throughout the whole season. Kathryn says she made sure to keep school an important priority to her athletes. “My varsity team always maintained a 3.5 and over G.P.A.,” said Kathryn.
Coach Kindle says she grew to love teaching and coaching at TJ. “I loved the students and the academic program, and I had a great understanding with my players and students,” said Kindle. Then, in 2005 she decided to retire from teaching and coaching. “I knew it was the right time. I think I did a lot as I was working,” said Kindle. But when she retired from teaching Kathryn did not stop coaching; she decided to come back to TJ and help the girls.
Today Kathryn lives in Aurora and commutes to Anguilla British West Indies, where she owns a bed and breakfast and a shop. “When I’m not there I have employees running my store, but I still try to spend a lot of time there during my off-season,” said Kathryn. She is currently the Varsity Assistant Coach for the TJ Hoop Squad. “I love coming back to TJ and staying involved. When I come here it reminds me of the last 20 years I was here,” added Kindle.
Kathryn Kindle coaches many girls and loves staying involved. “Coach Kindle is the sweetest coach ever. She is always there for the whole team and helps out with everything,” said Sophomore Basketball Player Kessanet Negash.
Kindle says she has always had a love for TJ, and it is a special place for her. “I will always have TJ in my heart, and I’ll keep coming back as long as I live.”
