Baker University cross country and track and field coach Zach Kindler died late Monday night after severe cardiac arrest.

Kindler, 35, had coached the Wildcats men’s and women’s teams since 2007, earning conference coach of the year honors 20 times and leading Baker to 17 conference titles.

“We are absolutely devastated by the loss of Zach Kindler,” BU athletic director Theresa Yetmar said in a statement. “He has been a longtime member of our Baker family, and one of the most decorated coaches in the history of our programs. More importantly Zach was a great man, husband, father, coach and friend. We cannot say enough how much we will miss him. Our continued thoughts, prayers, love and support go out to Zach’s wife, Sara, and their three children, Taylor, Carter, and Tessa and his entire family.”

Kindler, a national-champion javelin thrower at Fort Hays State University, came to Baker after coaching three years at Kansas Wesleyan. Under his leadership, Baker’s men’s and women’s track teams swept Heart of America Athletic Conference titles, indoor and outdoor, in 2012, 2013 and 2014. The men’s outdoor team also won the conference championship in 2011. Kindler coached title-winning teams in men’s cross country (2011, 2012) and women’s cross country (2010, 2013). In addition, his Wildcats teams produced numerous All-Americans at NAIA national meets.

BU senior distance runner Vinny Tadakoro said Kindler’s impact can’t be measured by awards and titles alone.

“You could just go into his office whenever you wanted and just talk to him about whatever, like school, personal things that were going on,” Tadakoro said. “He was more than a coach. He was the most dedicated person out there, and all he wanted to do was win and see his athletes be the best they could be.”

A public prayer service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Osborne Chapel on the Baldwin City campus. A memorial fund has been set up for his family.