Unmissable: Legendary Gymnastics Coach to Inspire Graduates at College of Education and Health Professions Commencement!

Valorie Kondos Field, the former head coach of the UCLA Bruins gymnastics team, will be the keynote speaker at this spring’s College of Education and Health Professions commencement. Known affectionately as “Miss Val” by her athletes, she will share valuable life lessons with over 700 graduates on Saturday, May 10, at Bud Walton Arena.

Dean Kate Mamiseishvili has been inspired by various sports leaders this academic year, making Kondos Field an ideal speaker. She described Miss Val as a “bold visionary” who encourages others to dream big. Graduates can expect to be motivated by her passion and achievements.

Kondos Field’s connection to Arkansas runs deep. Her husband, Bobby Field, once played for the Razorbacks football team, earning the nickname “the monster man” for his role in the famed 1969 “Big Shootout” game against Texas.

In 2010, Kondos Field joined the UCLA Athletic Hall of Fame, a milestone she shares with Bobby, marking them as the first married couple in UCLA’s Hall of Fame. Throughout her coaching career, she led the Bruins to seven NCAA championships and garnered the title of National Coach of the Year four times. In 2019, she received UCLA’s Professional Achievement Award.

Her book, Life is Short, Don’t Wait to Dance, reflects on her coaching journey and the insights she’s gained. She has also imparted her leadership knowledge to students, teaching a seminar titled “Leadership in Coaching: Lessons from Lincoln to Lasso.”

According to a recent survey by the NCAA, coaching and mentorship are crucial in developing young athletes both on and off the field, highlighting the importance of leaders like Kondos Field in shaping future generations.

The University of Arkansas will livestream the commencement on its YouTube channel.

The College of Education and Health Professions comprises six departments, preparing students for careers in education, health care, and more. With around 360 faculty and staff, the college serves over 6,000 students and engages in impactful research that aims to improve lives in Arkansas and beyond.

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