CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – When Michael Kobylinski was being recruited to play soccer in the late 1990s, he had options. A native of Kalamazoo, Michigan, he could have played in his home state or ventured elsewhere.
But when he stepped on the Central College campus in Pella, Iowa, he knew he was home.
“I chose Central College because I fell in love with the welcoming environment and the care people had to make me feel valued,” Kobylinski said. “I also felt Central had very strong academics and values that I was looking for to learn and grow from.”
Kobylinski played soccer at Central from 1999-2002. He was part of the first recruiting class for head coach Garry Laidlaw, who is still the men’s soccer coach today, 25 years later.
“I wanted to play soccer for Coach Laidlaw, who I think is one of the best coaches around and one of the best coaches I have ever had,” Kobylinski said.
As a senior in 2002, Kobylinski, who was a defender, helped lead the Dutch to a 16-2-1 record and the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (IIAC) title. It was the first league championship in school history.
“I have too many favorite memories to count,” Kobylinski said. “One was being part of Coach Laidlaw’s first recruiting class and coming into a program that didn’t have as much success and leaving as 16-2-1 regular season IIAC Champions was pretty special.”
Kobylinski, who graduated from Central with a degree in exercise science and a minor in sociology in 2003, still plays soccer today. He rarely misses a chance to play in the alumni game at Central.
“Memories last forever,” he said. “Playing in the alumni match isn’t as fun as a 43-year-old, but we have made it back pretty much the last 22 years to have a good laugh and kick about.”
A well-rounded experience
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While a student-athlete at Central, Kobylinski was able to balance academics, athletics, and social life. He credits his small college experience for allowing him to do all three.
“It was excellent,” Kobylinski said. “I was able to play the sport I love at a high level and was challenged in the classroom. I also learned from Coach Laidlaw and others at Central on how to interact with everyone on a daily basis.”
One of the things Kobylinski is most proud of from his time at Central are the friendships he made.
“The relationships we have formed on both the women’s and men’s soccer programs over the 25-plus years as a student-athlete and coach around Central College,” he said. “I still talk to a lot of my teammates on a daily or weekly basis. The only thing that has changed is that we have gotten older, had kids, and lost most of our hair.”
Kobylinski also credits his parents for his success on and off the field.
“I felt I was raised by some of the best parents one could have who taught me the value of hard work and caring for others,” he said. “My parents definitely showed me how to care for other people and extend a hand when in need and also be firm in your beliefs and have confidence.”
Returning home
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Kobylinski’s fondness for Central and the Pella, Iowa, community led him back to his alma mater in 2011 when he was hired as the head coach of the Central women’s soccer program.
In 2014, Kobylinski took his alma mater to the IIAC championship match and in 2017 had a program best 14-2-3 record. Additionally, he is a three-time league Coaching Staff of the Year and all-time wins leader at Central with a record of 140-82-28. He has led the Dutch to 12 conference tournaments during his 13 seasons. He has led the program on four Europe tours as a team (2012, 2015, 2019, 2023).
“Garry sold me on changing a program around on the men’s side back in 1999, and we felt we did that together, and we feel like we have done similar on the women’s side as well,” Kobylinski said. “It’s been a fun ride.”
Kobylinski enjoys the challenge of recruiting and coaching student-athletes at Central, and he tries to pass on some of the advice he received from his mentors to his players.
“As Big Al Dorenkamp, the former Central AD, once told me, ‘Tough times don’t last. Tough people do,’” Kobylinski said. “Very true words. Also, do the work. As my folks would say, ‘There is no substitute for hard work.’”
When Kobylinski returned to Central in 2011, he noticed some things had changed since his days as a student-athlete. But there were also things that hadn’t changed, for the better.
“Being at a place so long, you see the change, and the one constant is change, as my parents or old coach would say,” Kobylinski said. “However, the people and love for Central are still there and abundant.”
Kobylinski said going to a small, liberal arts school like Central isn’t for everyone, but it can be a life-changing experience for those who embrace it.
“Central is a great place with great people,” he said. “Small liberal arts can be so transformative if you allow it to be.”
Kobylinski resides in Des Moines with his wife, Lisa Crabbs, two children (Calvin and Chloe), and their dog (Willa).
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About the American Rivers Conference
The Conference dates back to December 8, 1922, when representatives from 12 colleges got together and formed the "Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Association." Honoring its heritage in Iowa and its expansion outside the state, the American Rivers Conference brand was established on August 9, 2018, to build on the academic and athletic success provided by its legacy, the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. The A-R-C has nine full-time members: Buena Vista University, Central College, Coe College, University of Dubuque, Loras College, Luther College, Nebraska Wesleyan University, Simpson College, and Wartburg College.
