Long Beach State University Athletics
Lindgren Returns to Poolside
1/25/2006 12:00:00 AM | General
Lindgren Back at Poolside But he knew the boss had made up his mind to make a change and that there was nothing he could do about it except accept it with grace... He became a full-time university mathematics teacher, which meant he would continue to earn his same salary but which also meant he would be far removed from the water polo action that he had savored so long at a school where he turned out 34 All Americans, including U.S. Olympians Doug Kimbell and Kyle Kopp. Ken Lindgren remained enamored with water polo, and continued his close involvement as he was hired by Guy Baker to become an assistant coach of the U.S. Women's National team that earned a silver medal in the 2000 Olympics in Sydney. And then he served as the interim women's coach at Occidental in 2003. "I never ventured that far away from water polo," says Lindgren. "I really never stopped coaching." And, well, against all odds, 68-year-old Ken Lindgren was brought back in early December to Long Beach State to take charge of the women's program. "This is just all unbelievable," says Lindgren, who, ironically, can attribute his astounding return to the gentleman who replaced him at the school, Ricardo Azevedo, who left to accept an offer to coach the U.S. Men's National team. "I feel so excited to be back doing what I love doing on a full-time basis. "I love working with the kids, seeing them develop not only as athletes but as human beings. I like to compete and like the challenges inherent in coaching. I also like seeing kids walk away from the program and have a degree and a good set of values." Lindgren takes over a 49er team coming off three straight 20-win seasons, and 16 new players are on the roster. "We're very, very young, with two-thirds of the team new to the program," says Lindgren. Still, he does have some talented performers, including three-time All American Cassie Azevedo, as well as three members of various national teams, including Canada's Tara Campbell, Brazil's Marina Canetti and Australia's Elise Rosatto. Ken Lindgren is in the Water Polo Hall of Fame, and has been an important part of the sport since playing it for three seasons at California and one at Long Beach State and then going on to coach it with distinction for several decades, including a four-year stretch at Fullerton State. He and his long-time friend, Monte Nitzkowski, with whom he operates a successful water polo camp called, naturally, Camp of Champions, were responsible for organizing the first U.S. National team back in 1977. The 49er women have been training since Jan. 9, and they commence play in a tournament at Michigan on the Feb. 4-5 weekend. "I feel like a kid in the candy store," says Lindgren. "I feel totally rejuvenated. I really never thought I'd have this kind of opportunity again. And I'm enjoying every moment of it. "The kids have been great. I'm not even sure our Olympic team worked any harder than these kids have been. They're young, but they're determined to be successful. And with their work ethic, I'm sure they will be." Ken Lindgren pauses, and his voice is brimming with enthusiasm when he resumes. "It's as though I've been given a second chance in life," he says. "I never wanted to leave coaching in the first place. And now I'm back doing what I enjoy doing most. I have to be the happiest person at Long Beach State these days." |
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