Zigurds Kauls

Zigurds "Ziggy" Kauls, a cherished basketball coach and teacher at Mounds View High School for many years, passed away peacefully at the age of 84 on April 20, 2025, in Arden Hills, MN.

Born in Riga, Latvia, in 1941 to Teodors and Alma Kauls, Ziggy was the third of six children. Seeking freedom, his family fled Latvia at the close of World War II to escape Soviet oppression. From 1944 to 1949, the immigrant family resided in a displaced person camp in Wurzburg, Germany, before gaining entry to the United States. During this period, Latvian refugees organized educational activities in academics, sports, arts, and culture for the children in the camp. The children often entertained themselves by watching American soldiers play basketball, planting a seed in Ziggy that would blossom throughout his life.

In December 1949, the Kauls family was sponsored to immigrate to the United States, traveling by ship to New York and through Ellis Island en route to Minnesota. They settled in Forest Lake under the sponsorship of Faith Lutheran Church and the Norton Taylor family. Ziggy entered third grade, quickly learning English and excelling in both academics and athletics throughout his schooling. In 1959, he graduated from Forest Lake High School, where he was a National Honor Society member and a four-sport letter-winning athlete.

Ziggy continued his education at Hamline University, majoring in Math and earning honors in both basketball and track. Hamline, the site of the first intercollegiate basketball game in 1895, boasted a rich basketball history. During his college years, Ziggy had the privilege of playing under Coach Joe Hutton and alongside his brother Juris. He became a starting player in his junior year and captained the team as a senior, earning All-Conference honors while traveling the country as part of the NAIA Division. He graduated in 1963 and began his career with the Mounds View School District as a math teacher and assistant track coach.

In 1966, Ziggy traveled to Adelaide, Australia, to play amateur basketball for the South Australian league Adelaide Sports Klub (A.S.K.), known locally as "the Latvians." He was Australia's first American basketball import - recruited for his skills as a player and for his inspirational youth coaching. This experience forged lifelong friendships and connections to Australia. Back in the United States, Ziggy remained involved with state and national American Latvian Associations through athletics, both playing and later coaching Latvian teams, which included two generations of Kauls family members in annual national sports festivals. In 1967, Ziggy married his wife Nikki and spent the next 40 years in New Brighton, MN lovingly raising his family with children, Jennifer and Michael, teaching at Mounds View for 32 years until retiring in 1999.

Ziggy dedicated his life to the Mounds View Mustangs, began his role of head basketball coach in 1967, a position he held for the next 45 years. He proudly displayed his green leather letter jacket, championship ring, and green game blazer, even residing in a green house with an answering machine that cheerfully announced, "Home of the Mustangs." He fostered young talent by running summer youth basketball camps through the local park and recreation, creating lasting memories of friendships, teamwork, popsicle breaks, and inspirational camp T-shirts for generations of future Mustangs. His commitment extended year-round as he volunteered on Sundays to supervise "Open Gym" at Mounds View, a concept that served as a model for many future coaches. His evenings were spent meticulously reviewing game tapes in his recliner, where he maintained hand-drawn statistical charts, analyzing and breaking down games often until daylight. Humble and hardworking, he coached with joy. Ziggy's warm smile, love for people, storytelling, good humor, and easygoing nature contributed to his remarkable legacy.

For Ziggy, his numerous awards were secondary to his passion for helping his players achieve their best as a team. His dedication to basketball led to 12 state tournament appearances, state titles in 1972 and 1999, and a career record of 739-357, ranking fifth-most wins in Minnesota high school history. His distinguished career earned him induction into eight halls of fame: 1991 Hamline University, 2004 Mounds View High School, 2005 Minnesota Basketball Coaches Association, 2011 Minnesota State High School League, 2012 Forest Lake High School, 2014 Minnesota State High School Coaches Association, 2022 Minnesota State High School Basketball Coaches Association, and 2022 National High School Athletic Coaches Association. Ziggy earned the respect of coaches nationally at the highest levels of the game for his insightful understanding of the game, his mentorship, and his friendships. However, perhaps his greatest accolade came in 2012 when the Mounds View High School home court, his sanctuary, was dedicated as "Kauls Court" in his honor.

After retiring, Ziggy enjoyed many years with his partner Jackie and his beloved dogs, Mustang Sally and Jamie. They shared many adventures together and traveled extensively; road tripping across the country, visiting family and friends and traveling afar to Chile and Latvia. They shared a passion for sports of all kinds and enjoyed watching their favorite teams, cheering on grandchildren and continuing to support the Mounds View Mustangs.

He is survived by his beloved partner Jackie Best; his children and their families: Michael (Katy) Hatts and JJ; Jennifer (Andrew Osmond) Teddy and Benji; Jackie's children: Beth Hartlieb (John) Matthew, Kimberly, Megan, and Mark; John Best (Bethany) Christopher, Jackson, and Sarah; his siblings Ivars (Gloria), Juris (Laura), Andris (Mary), and Mara (David) Delong; and special friends and coaches Steve Pietrick, Dave (Elyse) Leiser and Mark Sembrowich, as well as many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. A special thank you to Charity Doghor for her loving care, and to his many other caregivers.

Preceded in death by his wife Nikki; parents Teodors and Alma; brother Teodors, Jr.

A celebration of life service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, June 6, at Incarnation Lutheran Church, 4880 Hodgson Road, Shoreview, MN. Visitation will begin at 9:30 a.m., with a lunch to follow the service.

In honor of his lifelong dedication to basketball, a night before visitation "Ziggy's Last Open Gym" will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 5 at Mounds View High School. All are welcome to attend a memorial program in the auditorium followed by an open visitation with refreshments and scrimmaging on Kauls Court for those who'd like to play.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to Mounds View High School Boys Basketball, the Hamline University Piper Athletic Association, or the American Latvian Association.