At the American Baseball Coaches Association Convention in Indianapolis this past weekend, FCA Baseball honored Greenville coach Lynn Carlson with the 2018 Jerry Kindall Character in Coaching Award.
FCA Baseball presents the award each year at the ABCA Convention to the college or high school baseball coach who best exemplifies the Christian principles of character, integrity, excellence, teamwork and service.
“FCA congratulates Coach Carlson on his well-deserved honor,” said Shane Williamson, FCA’s President and CEO. “Coaches have the opportunity to impact so many throughout their lifetime, and Coach Carlson has made an indelible mark on his players and fellow coaches. FCA remains committed to honoring coaches who exhibit the qualities of a godly leader who can truly change lives through their service.”
Past Kindall award winners include Rich Maloney (2017), Dan McDonnell (2016) and Brian Shoop (2015).
Lynn Carlson has won more than 400 games at Greenville.
Carlson returned to Greenville as a student after his professional career and graduated in 1993. He also holds a master’s degree from Kentucky. In 2010, he passed Greenville Hall of Fame coach Dave Altopp to become the school’s all-time leader in wins.
In 2016, Carlson recorded his 400th victory, and in 2017, the Greenville Panthers won the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Tournament and finished first in the East Division with an overall record of 30-17 and a conference record of 16-6. The 2018 Greenville baseball starts its season Jan. 16 at Rhodes College in Memphis.
The award’s namesake, Jerry Kindall, passed away Christmas Eve. The legendary coach and baseball standout was well-known and respected among his peers and those he coached over the years.
“The baseball community lost a legend in the going home to heaven of coach Jerry Kindall,” said David Daly of FCA Baseball. “Coach made a huge difference for the Kingdom with his faith walk that glorified our Lord.”
Kindall was the first person in NCAA history to win a baseball national championship as both a player and a coach. In addition to his three titles at Arizona as a coach, Kindall played shortstop for the 1956 national champion Minnesota team.
Signed by the Chicago Cubs in 1956, Kindall went on to play eight seasons in the Major Leagues with the Cubs, the Cleveland Indians and the Minnesota Twins. Following his professional career, Kindall became the Arizona Wildcats’ skipper from 1973-1996. He was Arizona’s all-time leader in career wins, finishing his coaching career with a record of 860-580-6.
Kindall was a member of both the Minnesota and Arizona Halls of Fame, and was the recipient of the ABCA’s prestigious Lefty Gomez award in 1999 as well as a three-time national ABCA Coach of the Year.
Although Kindall’s coaching resume was impressive, those who knew him either as a coach or as a peer were most impressed by the kind of person he was on and off the field.
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Photos courtesy of Greenville University Sports Information. The annual FCA Baseball award is named after Jerry Kindall, who was the first person in NCAA history to win a baseball national championship as both a player and a coach. In addition to his three titles at the University of Arizona as a coach, Kindall played shortstop for the 1956 National Champion University of Minnesota team.
Signed by the Chicago Cubs in 1956, Kindall went on to play eight seasons in the Major Leagues with the Cubs, Cleveland Indians and Minnesota Twins. Following his professional career, Kindall became the University of Arizona Wildcats head skipper from 1973-1996. He is Arizona’s all-time leader in career wins, finishing his coaching career with a record of 860-580-6.
Kindall is a member of both the University of Minnesota and University of Arizona Halls of Fame, and was the recipient of the ABCA’s Prestigious Lefty Gomez Award in 1999 as well as a three-time national ABCA Coach of the Year.
Although Kindall’s coaching resume is impressive, those who know Jerry either as a coach or as a peer are most impressed by the kind of person he is both on and off the baseball diamond.
Past Kindall Award winners include Dan McDonnell (2016), Brian Shoop (2015), Ray Hughes (2014), Rusty Stroupe (2013), Scott Berry (2012), Victor “Bubba” Cates (2011), Dave Altopp (2010), Carroll Land (2009), Elliot Johnson (2008), Mark Johnson (2007) and Jerry Kindall (2006). To learn more about the Kindall Award, visit FCA Baseball.