CEDAR FALLS - Ken Klingman is a big fan of wrestling.

While never a wrestler himself while attending Valley Community High School in Northeast Iowa, he attended the University of Northern Iowa in 1962 where his roommate was an All-American UNI wrestler.

Klingman's passion for wrestling grew when his youngest son, Kevin, wrestled for Cedar Falls High School, but it wasn't until his oldest son, Kyle, took him to watch an Iowa Hawkeye wrestling practice at Carver Arena eight years ago that his passion for wrestling turned into a ministry.

While watching the Hawkeyes practice that day, Klingman, an associate pastor at Trinity Bible Church in Cedar Falls, began to engage in a spiritual conversation with Tom Brands who was an assistant coach at that time.

Brands took an interest in Klingman, and it wasn't long before Klingman found himself driving to Iowa City to conduct a Bible study with Brands and another assistant coach, Bill Zadick, every other week.

"For four years I traveled to Iowa City to lead a Bible study with Tom and Bill," shares Klingman. "I enjoyed my relationship with them so much. During those years it opened up the world of wrestling to me on an international level and I had the opportunity to meet so many world-class athletes. When Tom took a coaching position at Virginia Tech, I knew that I wanted to continue my wrestling ministry. I presented the idea to UNI Coach Brad Penrith to see if he would be interested."

Today, Klingman has been designated the "eam spiritual coach' for the Panther wrestlers. He has been invited into the locker room to pray with the athletes before meets, hosts a weekly Bible study in his home with his wife Linda, and enjoys participating in outreach activities with the wrestlers.

"I love being around these guys," Klingman said. "It's really an honor. They are so motivated, bright and fun athletes. I don't know that I have ever enjoyed an outreach ministry so much."

Every Wednesday evening a small group of UNI wrestlers gather around the fireplace in the Klingman's home to enjoy fruit smoothies while engaging in discussions on topics of interest to college students.

"We talk about real life issues," Klingman said. "We discuss topics such as relationships, time management, how to integrate your faith with wrestling and how to be a mean wrestler yet a caring Christian. We often have conversations on how to be humble, how to react after a match, how to handle defeat and how to glorify God in their wrestling.

"I base my wrestling ministry on the Bible verse Luke 2:52, helping these young men grow in their faith and to make a positive impact in the world," Klingman said. "It's fascinating to watch them develop. I really enjoy my relationship in the wrestling world"

"These are really tough guys and highly skilled division 1 athletes," adds Klingman.

"Most of them were state champions when they were in high school. They are very disciplined and motivated. They want to wrestle in a way that their faith is evident."

UNI wrestler Moza Fay, a 165-pound junior from Anamosa, enjoys attending Klingman's weekly Bible study with his teammates.

"Since I spend so much time with these guys, it's nice to have teammates with the same beliefs and moral values as I do," Fay said. "It makes life a lot easier."

"The reason why I wrestle is to glorify God," adds Fay. "God has given me the ability to wrestle and I try to represent Him the best I can."

"Being a part of Ken's Bible study keeps me focused on doing the right things," says freshman UNI wrestler, Jamal Lawrence from Indiana.

Like Fay, Lawrence desires to wrestle in a way that his faith is evident. "I always pray before a match," he said. "When I am up against a tough opponent, I ask God to give me strength."

"I've grown much closer to God by attending Ken's Bible studies," shares freshman UNI wrestler Micah Casper from Kalona, Iowa. "Adjusting to college life has been tough and having my faith has really helped. Now that I am on my own, I have to look to God as my source of strength. God has given me the ability to wrestle and I praise Him for that ability by always doing my best."

"I really look forward to Ken's Bible study every week," says UNI wrestler Trevor Kittleson from St. Ansgar, Iowa. "Ken's a real encourager. Every time I talk to him I get a smile on my face. He always has a Bible verse that relates to every situation."

"Since attending Ken's Bible study I've been able to make my faith more a part of my wrestling," adds Kittleson. "I don't worry so much about things. It helps me be at peace, relax about stuff, and stay focused on the tasks at hand. I've learned to put it all in God's hands."

Contact Sue Willett at newsroom@wcfcourier.com.