Kimberlyn Schindler Plays Sports for a Greater Purpose

Original version of a story published in the Daily Press Newport News Town Square section, and HRVarsity.com on January 27, 2012.

Most of the articles that I have written for the Daily Press Town Square sections are locally placed in the particular regional section as a wraparound to the Thursday front page. Since the placing is suited to one particular neighborhood (in this case, Newport News), the articles are usually not posted on the internet. This one was posted on HRVarsity.com, the high school sports branch of the Daily Press.

Kimberlyn Schindler is a unique young woman, as I'm sure the story shows. It's worth a read, and my intention is to show it for the readers who may have missed it the first time.

In the world of sports, we are sometimes introduced to athletes who transcend the game in which they compete. As an example, Muhammad Ali recently turned 70. In spite of the fact that he hasn’t boxed in over 30 years, even people who weren’t born when he last fought know of the man self-labeled as “The Greatest.” This could be from the accomplishments of his legendary athletic career, but also because of his work as an ambassador, philanthropist and activist. The image of Ali lighting the Olympic torch in Atlanta over 15 years ago is embedded in the minds of many.

  Such athletes are rare, but not obsolete. At Denbigh Baptist, a young woman by the name of Kimberlyn Schindler has put herself in a unique position – one which combines her athletic talent with a greater humanitarian purpose. You might say a mission, because it will be.

First, one has to be introduced to Kimberlyn Schindler, the athlete. Currently, the 5-foot-11 senior is playing the center and forward positions for the girls’ basketball team, averaging over 16 points and almost ten rebounds a game for the Minutemen as they stake a claim to be one of the better teams in the VISAA (Virginia Independent Schools) Metro Conference, sporting a 7-4 record (4-4 in the Metro). For Schindler and her teammates, this is a year of transition, as the team has moved from the Division 2 level to Division 3, a drop made in part because of the economic situation which has caused a slight dip in students at Denbigh Baptist.
“I think our team has changed. Last year, we were faster and all of the teams were run and gun. We have changed to become more of an academic team, and have to outsmart teams. It’s challenging in a different way.” Defensive play is a specialty for Coach Steve Fletcher’s team, with opponents averaging less than 30 points per game. For her part, Schindler also averages three steals and two blocks per game.


Kimberlyn signing her scholarship for Liberty

But basketball is not the sport she will be playing in college. Schindler recently signed with Lynchburg’s Liberty University to play volleyball, a sport in which she excels during the fall season. As an outside hitter and right side, Schindler’s tall frame is perfect for sets, blocks and kill shots. In fact, she has recorded over 1,200 kills during her high school career, helping her to earn All-Conference honors during all four years, as well as being the conference MVP twice. Other accolades include making the Division 2 VISAA All-State team on two occasions. On the Liberty University press release announcing the Flames’ six volleyball signings, Coach Greg Hardy notes the power and explosiveness of his star player.

Amazingly, Schindler has also earned all-conference honors as a soccer player, a sport that her father Stephen played for Liberty in the early 1980’s. Her athletic career also includes time as a competitive swimmer.

But to say that Kimberlyn Schindler is just an athlete is like calling the aforementioned Ali just a good boxer. Her goals and purpose in life reach far beyond the field of sports.

Kimberly Schindler, the student and humanitarian is equally impressive. She plans to major in nursing at Liberty. While her choice for a course of study is commendable on its own merits, her plans after walking across the stage to pick up the piece of sheepskin is more inspiring.

Mirroring the Liberty motto of “Training Champions for Christ,” Schindler has plans which transcend those of a traditional nurse.

“I never wanted to go to a secular university,” says Schindler, adding that Liberty was the only college she applied to. Speaking of her Christian beliefs she then explains the plan which will define her existence for many years to come.

“I want to be a nurse and I want to be a missionary. They (Liberty) gave me the opportunity to go into nursing and to work as a missionary during spring break.” Thinking of possible locations for her post-graduate mission, she is also focused. “I am really drawn to Africa.”

For Schindler, missionary work is not a new experience. Last spring, she and about “100 of us” traveled to the Dominican Republic. Through her group at Liberty Baptist Church in Hampton, Chi Alpha (meaning “Christ First”), she has also been to other cities, and talked about a recent experience in Atlanta, where the group performed at different jails and detention centers, while bringing a speaker to help spread the message.

Seeing inmates stand up afterwards to proclaim themselves to Christ was an eye opening experience for Schindler. “It made me realize how little my life means if I’m just doing things I want to.”

With her plan in hand and goals in sight, there is every reason to believe that Kimberlyn Schindler will continue to use athletics to aid her pursuit of future goals and continue defining the meaning of a life well lived.