By Jeff Kurowski | For On Mission
Photography by Scott Eastman
GREEN BAY — When longtime University of Wisconsin-Green Bay cross country coach Mike Kline meets with recruits, he explains the priorities he expects the student-athletes to set.
“My team knows our cross country values: faith, family, academics, cross country,” said Kline, who has led the program for 38 years. “You never let cross country in the top three, and you never let it out of the top four.”
Kline, who was born and raised in Luxemburg, acknowledges that it can be difficult entering into faith conversations at a public university.
“You’ve got to watch out,” he said. “If people talk to me about it, I will gladly talk to them. At our Sunday night (Phoenix Catholic) Mass, we’ve got some cross country runners, a few softball players and a few basketball players that will come. It’s good to see them there. If you have faith, keep it going. When you get to college, don’t let that go. That’s a very important part of your life.”
Kline credits his late parents, Mike and Laverne Kline, for his faith foundation. He grew up as
a member of Immaculate Conception (St. Mary)
Parish in Luxemburg.
“We had to go to church every Sunday and confession once a month,” he said. “After you go to confession, you feel so much better.”
Kline also fondly recalls the influence of Fr. William Hemauer, Fr. Benedict Marx and Fr. Milton Suess, who all served as pastors in Luxemburg.
“I remember Fr. Hemauer preached in a homily that the shortest and quietest prayer is the sign of the cross,” Kline said. “I make the sign of the cross before and after a run, and before the start of a meet. I pray that my runners give 100%, and that I can give my team 100% in return. I have a quick little visit with God.”
Kline served his home parish as a ninth grade religious education teacher for seven years. He’s now a member of Holy Cross Parish, Bay Settlement. Norbertine Fr. Tim Shillcox, former pastor at Holy Cross Parish, has provided him with spiritual guidance, Kline said, especially during a very difficult time in his life.
Twenty-two years ago, Kline, the father of two, went through a divorce. He told Fr. Shillcox that he would need to back away from church involvement.
He recalled Fr. Shillcox told him, “‘Mike, you need your Catholic faith more than you’ve ever needed it.’”
“I had many confessions with him,” Kline said. “Many times we walked and talked. Fr. Tim kept me strong in my faith, and he did it in such a spiritual way. He was a priceless blessing and resource during my divorce.”
Kline, who was a student-athlete at UW-Green Bay prior to coaching, holds multiple positions at the university.
In 1999, he added academic coordinator for Green Bay Athletics to his duties. In 2014, he took on the role of assistant athletic director of compliance, student welfare and student services.
Kline’s involvement with Phoenix Catholic extends beyond attending the 7 p.m. Sunday Mass — he also serves as the faculty advisor. His support includes helping connect campus ministry to the wider campus community.
Kline runs the study tables for UW-Green Bay students who participate in athletics. When students from Phoenix Catholic wanted to start a Bible study, he approved of them meeting during study time and for athletes to be a part of the group.
“If they are willing to find time in their faith, I’d be a hypocrite to try to take that away from them,” Kline said.
The coach finds ways to live out his faith each day, which starts with a 4:26 a.m. wake up in recognition of his favorite race, the marathon, which is 26.2 miles.
“When I’m out running, I can pray,” he said. “I pray when I’m driving to work. Just take time to thank God for the blessings. I have a daily devotional that was given to me by (former UW-Green Bay assistant basketball coach) Steve Swan. I’ve read it every day for 22 years. It’s getting pretty ragged.”
Kline, who is a grandfather, said that he has never used foul language with his teams.
“There are many other words you can use to encourage and motivate,” he said. “I’m a big believer in that.”
Kline shared that he was honored to serve as the confirmation sponsor for a cross country athlete in the spring. He looks forward to the return of Mass on campus in the fall semester.
“What I admire about Coach (Kline) is his quiet, humble and pious attitude to life,” said Sr. Laura Zelten, a Sister of St. Francis of the Holy Cross and director of campus ministry at UW-Green Bay. “He comes to Mass on Sunday evenings as just one of the students. He sits in the same place, and a little while after arriving, cross country students arrive and surround him. After Mass, he joins the students with security and stability. Coach’s humility is a show of strength in a gentle and unassuming way.”
“Our Phoenix Catholic is as strong as it’s ever been,” Kline said. “I feel they’ve done more for me than I’ve done for them.”