Beloved Coach Soldati & Father of 6 Faces Terminal Disease

The words no one expects to hear, “You have ALS.” This shocking news of the fatal diagnosis, better known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, forever changed the trajectory of our family.

My name is Kimiko Soldati, and I've spent the last 24 years alongside my husband, Adam. He is a faithful, amazing husband and loving father of six children and has built a legacy as a revered coach and mentor for the Purdue Boilermakers diving team. But Adam's inspiring life story has taken an unexpected and devastating turn.

Adam’s passion for diving was ignited when he started the sport in his junior year in high school. His pursuit of excellence enabled him to win the California Junior College State Championships and compelled him to look for a Division I collegiate program. In 1994, on Christmas Day, Adam packed up his things and drove out to start his career at Indiana University.

Adam and I met on the diving team at IU, and the two of us were passionate, hardworking students of the sport. Together, in 1997, we created and developed the Indiana Diving and Youth Development program, and Adam's gift for coaching took off.

In 2000, Adam and I were married and then he sacrificially stepped out of coaching and left his successful program to take a job in the business world to provide for me to train at the National Training Center in Texas. By the Lord’s providence, a coaching position opened up. Adam eagerly capitalized on the opportunity to coach the Woodlands Diving Team producing multiple national champions, team national championships, international medalists, and multiple collegiate scholarship winners.

After the 2004 Olympic Games, we wanted to start a family and considered where to continue coaching. The coaching position at Purdue opened up, and this young, hungry, passionate coach walked into his interview with a vision to create a program where, in his words, “My primary philosophy is to help every young person reach their greatest potential as an athlete, but most importantly as a person.” He did just that over the next 19 years.

Adam's coaching prowess is evident in his impressive accolades. He has coached 4 Olympic medalists and a total of 42 international medalists. His divers have also included 34 U.S. National Champions, 14 NCAA Champions, 22 Big Ten Champions, 124 NCAA All-Americans, nine Big Ten Diver of the Years and five NCAA Diver of the Year. He’s a five-time NCAA Coach of the Year and 11-time Big Ten Coach of the Year His expertise and commitment has solidified his reputation as one of the most respected and accomplished diving coaches in the world.

As a coach, Adam has a unique gift for unlocking the potential in each of his athletes, nurturing their character and growth as both competitors and individuals. Ask anyone who has encountered this winsome coach, and you will undoubtedly hear words like "high integrity," "humble," “competitive,” "passionate," "caring," "safe," “faith,” “hope,” and "love." Adam’s robust faith is an inspiration to a multitude, and his ability to mentor young boys into men has been a catalyst for many.

Beyond the countless accolades, Adam is a beloved husband and father to our six children - Blake, Isaac, Maiya, Emiko, Noah, and Rylie - and a cherished friend to all he encounters. He is a man who fiercely loves competition, sacrificially serves his family and community, and whose poise and affirmation always bring out the best in those around him. To know Adam is to like Adam. He is a man who loves life, embraces adversity, and has always found a way for obstacles and opposition to be the pathway to greater love, joy, and personal growth.

Unexpectedly, in the middle of the Boilermakers’ 2024 championship season, we learned Adam must face his most formidable opponent yet. After a year of tests and appointments, we received the heartbreaking news that Adam had been diagnosed with ALS. This cruel disease can take a healthy, active, life-loving person and render them a prisoner in their own body as their nerves and muscles progressively deteriorate, essentially trapping the person inside a frame that can no longer manage the basic necessities of life without aid, eventually robbing them of all life. The life expectancy is typically 2-5 years after diagnosis, and no cure exists. This harrowing news affects the entirety of our family due to the immense impact on quality of life.

The road ahead for all eight of us is fraught with vast emotional and financial challenges. The staggering costs associated with ALS care and significant but necessary home modifications for accessibility will create a burden, stretching our resources thin as we navigate this difficult journey. Amidst the grief and hardship, Adam and I take heart and are determined to embrace the life we have been given with gratefulness, guts, and grit.

Even as Adam shared this news with his athletes through tears, his undaunted spirit shone through. He encouraged them to let adversity make them beautiful, to have an unshakeable foundation, and to live for something bigger than themselves. This is the essence of the man we love and admire.

Now, it is our turn to rally together and honor Adam in his time of greatest need. We would love for you to join our family as we fight to live rather than prepare to die. Any contribution, regardless of size, will make a meaningful difference as we fight this battle alongside him. Your generosity of prayer and financial support will serve as a lifeline and encouragement for Adam, myself, and our six children. Your help will fuel courage, perseverance, and tenacity, all of which will be greatly needed in this fight of our lives. Together, we can make a difference for this man who has made an incalculable difference in the scores of others' lives. We are profoundly grateful for your compassion and generosity during this challenging chapter. Thank you for standing with Adam as he bravely fights ALS, one day at a time: steadfast and immovable with gratefulness, guts, and grit. We believe in you, Adam; we are here for you. Take up the armor, stand firm, and press on.