Julie Kline It began with her dad, a baseball pitcher who turned down offers to play pro in order to raise his family. “Family took priority for him,” said Julie Kline, former head softball coach and current women’s basketball coach. And those loves, priorities – both of them – have been passed on. Born with a basketball in her hand, Kline has put it down throughout her life only to pick a softball or – more recently – her kids. Her genetic affinity for sports, though it began directly out of the womb, was nurtured by a neighborhood dedicated to the same love. “We were always playing something,” said the former head softball coach and current women’s basketball coach. “We had a wonderful neighborhood. Whatever season was in, that’s what we were playing.” Now a movement and sports science professor and coach of multiple sports at ULV, Kline has followed in her father’s footsteps. “Much of my daily activities involve my children outside of work,” said the proud mom, who frequently takes in whatever sports activity her two kids (Riley, 7 and Kinsey, 5) are involved in that day, whether it be baseball, soccer or gymnastics. In fact, the Kline tikes are nearly permanent fixtures on the ULV benches in games or during practice, and Riley may as well be an honorary member of the volleyball team. But having children has reshaped her life, as it so often does. An avid wanderer, Kline admits to picking up and going anywhere, anytime. “It could be down to the beach to anywhere across the country,” she said. “Obviously, since I’ve had children, my traveling has been somewhat limited. When they get a little bit older, we can look to travel farther.” Children have also inspired Kline to pick up photography. Admitting to starting after her children were born, Kline – as many athletes do – welcomes the new challenge. “It creates a memory of a person, of a certain time, a certain place,” she said. “It’s now become a game, a challenge to take the best pictures that I am capable of taking.” Even her love for running has taken a backseat, not only to her children but the long hours of basketball season. But now that the season is over, she’s planning to get back into her 4-6-days-a-week regimen. “It’s an escape,” she said. In fact, one of Kline’s only hobbies that hasn’t yielded to her duties as a mother is her voracious pursuit of the written word. An avid reader, Kline continues to swallow a variety of books, admitting to enjoying motivational books – anywhere from business to athletics – as some of her favorites. She also enjoys the ever-popular John Grisham, taking in everything he produces. “I was a political-science major in college,” she said, “intrigued with law, so I enjoy his writing quite a bit.” THE PROFESSOR As a teacher, she said first impressions are the most important. “I think teaching, you either get the students to buy in or not on the first day of class,” she said. “I’m very fortunate. I’ve had many wonderful students in the classes I’ve taught.” As an instructor, she said she takes a high-energy approach to class, in addition to a proactive, no-holds-barred teaching style. “I’m really a matter-of-fact instructor,” she said. “I’m going to teach the students what they need to know. I think they appreciate that.” In addition, students don’t need to pass out their papers. Riley and Kinsey will do that. RETURN TO FACULTY LISTmailto:klinej@ulv.edu?subject=HELLOHome.htmlshapeimage_1_link_1
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