Two Generations of Blue Raiders

The Caldwells write two family chapters at Lindsey Wilson University.

by Duane Bonifer

COLUMBIA, Ky. (09/30/2026) — The Lindsey Wilson University community will celebrate Family Weekend Oct. 2-3 with several activities and athletic events on the A.P. White Campus.

The weekend's purpose is to give Lindsey Wilson undergraduate students' family members opportunities to connect with their Blue Raider students as well as experience life on Lindsey Wilson Hill.

But in a larger sense, Lindsey Wilson Family Weekend is also a celebration of the Lindsey Wilson family and the thousands of families who make it up.

Few of those families are a better exemplar of the Lindsey Wilson spirit than the Caldwells.

Kevin '01 and Nicole '01 met, got married and started their family while at Lindsey Wilson. One of their six children, son Malaki '26, graduated from the university last spring with a media studies degree after a successful collegiate cycling career. And another member of the Caldwell family, son Azaryah '29, is a current Blue Raider double-majoring in recreation, tourism and sport management and Christian ministries while being a member of the men's soccer program.

"Of course any alumni would love to have two of your children attend the same college as you did on athletic scholarships," said Kevin. "It is very special, and it makes me very proud."

What makes it particularly special to the Caldwells is how unexpected it has been.

"Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought this is where our story would have another chapter," said Nicole.

Full-circle moments

In a sense, both Malaki's and Azaryah's presence at Lindsey Wilson represented full-circle moments for a two-generation Blue Raider family brought together by the school.

"I have some very fond memories of Lindsey, and consider the years I spent there some of the most cherished of my young adult years," said Kevin, who now lives in Bentonville, Arkansas, with Nicole where he is director of Arkansas operations for Phat Tire Bike Shop. "Lindsey Wilson and the town of Columbia have always held a place in our hearts."

Kevin and Nicole were also Lindsey Wilson pioneers. Kevin was an All-American member of the first Blue Raider cycling team, which started in 1996. And although Nicole came to Lindsey Wilson to play women's soccer, Kevin recruited her to cycling.

They met on opening weekend 1997, when Kevin was working for residence life as a first-year resident assistant and Nicole was a freshman.

"We met on the lawn in the quad area outside of Parrot, Weldon and Horton halls during a freshman orientation activity," said Kevin. "We had been asked to get into groups with people who had the same degree declarations, and Nicole and I were in a small group; just the two of us declared art as their major. In short, I was smitten by her beauty, personality and her interests. In the coming days and weeks I pursued her to the best of my abilities, determined to win her over before someone else did."

Less than two years later, Kevin and Nicole were married in the university's John B. Begley Chapel by Lindsey Wilson Chancellor John B. Begley.

"Kevin went to him and asked him to be the one to marry us," said Nicole. "What a special honor!"

The Caldwells' first child, Kaija, was born when they were students living in Lindsey Wilson residence life, and then Malaki lived with them on campus shortly after they graduated from Lindsey Wilson.

"I was actually pregnant with Malaki at our graduation from Lindsey Wilson," said Nicole.

Parents' heirs

Although Malaki grew up in a cycling family, he didn't take his first mountain bike ride with his dad until his 10th birthday.

"It's really strange how your children inherit their parents' interests, gifts and talents," said Kevin. "With Malaki, I didn't push cycling on him, he only started cycling after we encouraged him in several other sports."

If it was unclear whether Malaki would follow in his parents tracks as a cyclist, it was even less clear if he would attend their alma mater for college. By then, the Caldwells were living in Oklahoma.

"I knew if I could get him to have a visit there may be a chance he would consider it," said Nicole.

During their campus visit, Malaki met with members of the Blue Raider cycling program, who made an impression on him. But so did meeting Lindsey Wilson faculty and staff who remembered his parents' years on campus.

As he and his mother headed back to the car, Nicole asked him to pose for a picture in front of the cycling office.

"Malaki said, 'Not right now -- you can just take it when I come back in the fall,'" said Nicole. "It was at that moment my heart jumped for joy! I didn't draw attention to that comment because it almost felt too good to be true. I texted Kevin the news immediately. There began the journey for Malaki at Ldub!"

Malaki said his Lindsey Wilson journey was a special one. In addition to riding for one of the top collegiate programs in the country, he said Lidnsey Wilson helped prepare him for his first job, which involves using the skills he learned in his media studies major to help the cycling company Rodeo Adventure Labs tell its story.

"When I think of this place, it warms my heart," he said. "When I think of this place, I'm like, 'Dang, I'm glad I got to be here.'"

Azaryah also did not intend to attend Lindsey Wilson because he wanted to study architecture. But that changed after Kevin drove him through the night to make it in time for the start of a Lindsey Wilson soccer camp.

"I think at that moment Azaryah's desire to play soccer overrode his desire to study architecture," said Nicole.

Azaryah is now a recreation, tourism and sport management-Christian ministries double major.

"They both took their first steps of becoming who they were meant to be even though the journey has not been how they both imagined it would start," said Nicole. "It also makes it special because he's playing soccer, where I started my journey with L-dub."

While the Caldwell brothers have attended the same school as their parents, they've been reminded that much has changed. Lindsey Wilson College is now Lindsey Wilson University, the campus has grown by more than a dozen buildings and academic offerings have expanded to include a doctoral program.

But what matters most to the Caldwells is the Lindsey Wilson family structure and the university's commitment to students is as strong as ever.

"It's the same cozy, other-worldly vibe," said Nicole. "It is wild to see some of the same faces that were at the school when Kevin and I were there, folks who knew us at the same age and now get to see us through new eyes, the next generation.

"That is a comforting thing for a parent, knowing that your child will be looked after and cared for by some of the same people who cared for us. Lindsey has a special way of bringing you into another space and time but giving you an experience to take out into the world. While the school has added new majors and minors as well as new buildings, it remains a unique experience that can only be given by the experience itself."

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