"Coach Kainer is one of the most caring, sensitive, and athlete-centered coaches I have ever seen. My club coach always made me feel like just another number, whereas Coach Kainer makes everyone feel like a valued, cared for member of the team. During my recruitment process, Coach Kainer sold me on being a part of something special: a new program, still in its developmental phase, and a team culture unlike any other I had encountered. During my time at USI, I believe I've been given just that. Being a part of a developing program has its growing pains, and sure, we've had a few, but for the most part, I have had the opportunity to develop as a whole person through this program. I've had continued improvements in my swimming, overcame many personal obstacles, and had access to the best academic services, all under the guidance of Coach Kainer. You can look at the stats all you want and see the following: athletes improving year after year, school records being broken continuously, and a team GPA that has increased each semester, but the real testament to the team Coach Kainer has developed at USI is shown on deck at each swim meet. It's in the constant support of my teammates, coaches, and parents; in the Talons we display before each race; and in the pride I feel for being a USI Screagle Swimmer."

"If youre getting paid to do a sport you love put your head down and listen to the coach whether you enjoy it or not. Under Kainer its not difficult to show up and get work done assuming your schedule works out. He has pretty good feedback and a great personality, just may be fast on the stopwatch at practice sometimes (maybe or maybe not on accident)"

"I'm easily motivated and enthusiastic about swimming and have always been till now. I'm a good student, a and enjoy challenges, a bit of an overachiever you could say. Coach Kainer totally sells his recruits on the idea they are joining this up and coming, fully resourced, high end and highly competitive D1 (just what student athletes like to hear!) program and he is giving you the opportunity and exclusivity to join at the ground level and be a part of something amazing. I'm a bit ashamed to admit it , but I completely fell for his hype and can only say to other student athletes who are talking with him, its just that, ALL TALK. What I got was a complete 180 once I joined Coach Kainer's program. After only one season with this coach, competitive swimming really lost or lacked all the things I loved about it. I knew college and competing in a new environment, new people, would all be a learning curve but most, if not all, of the resources I was told I would have access to were never present and never manifested. Coach Cam penalized swimmers that prioritized classes over his constantly changing practice schedule. I endured it first hand being an engineering major. He had a very passive aggressive response of demoting relay positions instead even if you had better times than teammates. The team's 'culture' was more of a culture shock where the rumor mill ran rampid, tumultuous intersquad relationships were the norm and Coach Cam did nothing to keep it to a minimum. It was harder competing against my own teammates on a daily basis to get acknowledgment from him rather than other schools. Fundamentals like technique, focus work, underwaters and stations hardly even happened and garbage yardage and sets like 200 Tuesdays were more than just Tuesdays (even if you were a sprinter who swam only 50s and 100s). He made me feel uncomfortable at times watching his interactions with his female swimmers and commonly heard him first-hand make inappropriate or derogatory comments about them with respect to weight, personal hygiene and even promiscuity. Team bonding was non-existent and when we were required to get together and support other sports within USI, the same people always got to leave early or were excused and I personally was penalized more than once and not allow to swim at a meet or travel when I was unable to get off work to attend something he made mandatory at the last minute. My parents on a number of occasions tried to get more involved and donate and not even a check could get an email, a thank you or text message response. I kept my head down and put up points thinking my swimming would earn his respect and solidify my place among teammates and it never did. I really hoped to have the type of student-athlete experience where I could make amazing memories and tell my kids stories about the awesome experiences having this opportunity gave me that they could some day look forward to but, this coach is definitely not D1 quality even if it is a 'newer' program with growing pains and establishing itself. I would NEVER trust this coach with my own child after what I experienced. The only amazing thing about it all has been his inability to fulfill promises and disappoint. For the longest time, he honestly had make believing that I was the only reason I was not having a good experience. Being a D1, NCAA, SEC etc student-athlete is idealized these days and there's a huge allure to saying you're part of such a program. Please take the time to look at the stats and experiences this coach had himself as a student athlete and it will be clear what he has to offer, NOTHING. You can throw out all kinds of statistics and pics of kids having amazing swims and crushing it on social media to make a program like this look even more appealing and sound great but its like putting lipstick on a pig. It's still a pig."

"Our son has always been easily motivated and enthusiastic about swimming since 3 years of age. He has always been a good student, a bit of an over achiever, and enjoys being challenged. We never could have imagined the complete 180 we witnessed when he joined Coach Kainer's program. After only one season, he had completely lost his excitement for the sport and competing and worse more, the bad habits he developed under Coach Kainer's 'watchful eye' both in the pool and classroom were just as damaging. Early on, we attempted to get involved and support USI's swim program where we were met with misinformation, delayed responses, and half-hearted apologies or excuses. At first, we assumed between a new college environment and new freedom, our son had just developed different interests outside the pool. However, after we started asking more questions, looking at stats and schedules, and speaking with other parents whose athletes were no longer swimming or their swimmer shared a lot of the same experiences and feelings as our son, we began to worry more. We learned coach oversaw practices rather than offering any instruction and did not challenge or better their abilities. Fundamentals like technique focus, underwaters and stations commonly fell to the wayside of garbage yardage and practices commonly cancelled or let out early in and off-season. He often interacted with his female swimmers a little too closely as well. There seemed to be a real aversion to investing time and energy in athletes individually like he insisted was so important to us in order to 'build relationships and bonds to support a healthy team culture'. Instead we watched meet after meet, coach's favorites getting guidance and encouragement and the remaining athletes pitted against one another competing not against other teams but against one another for his attention and praise. Teammates constantly requested study help to keep grades up without response. Excuses were commonly made for some student athletes and not others who found themselves in trouble academically and extra-curricularly on repeated occasions. Team bonding was non-existent. Worse more is that we have kept an eye on this program's progress and, as the school gains traction and numbers with more parents starstruck with the idea of their son or daughter being a D1 student-athlete, this coach continues with his fast talk, empty promises and more and more swimmers get recruited, have a good freshman season from all the hard work they put in to GET recruited to a good school and are forgotten about to the next set of shiny hopefuls that take their places. Do yourself and your child a favor and go with an established program. This coach is definitely one of those 'if it seems to be too good to be true', it is!"

"Just save yourself the frustration. If you loved the sport when you come in you’ll either leave injured, emotionally drained, frustrated, and have an extremely poor relationship with the sport. Frankly we’re all tired of hearing if you’re unhappy than hit the transfer portal. If you still love the sport DO NOT come here. "

"As a parent of an athlete who has been part of the University of Southern Indiana swim program for several years, I feel it’s time to share an honest perspective that might help other families make an informed decision. I had hoped to stay quiet and let the program “grow into itself,” but it’s become clear that the same issues keep resurfacing, not because the team is young, but because of how it’s being led. There’s a pattern of poor communication, inconsistent leadership, and lack of structure that has never improved despite repeated promises of change. The swimmers are given little direction and even less feedback. Most of the technical corrections or post-race analyses come from the athletes themselves, not the coaching staff. My child has spent countless hours watching race footage trying to figure out how to improve because the coaches either didn’t watch their races or offered no actionable feedback. What’s frustrating is that this isn’t about results. We understand that success takes time, especially for a newer D1 program. The real issue is the environment. There’s no sense of cohesion or shared purpose. Team meetings, events, or opportunities for bonding are treated like obligations, not opportunities to build unity. When the swimmers try to take initiative and lead from within, they’re often ignored or subtly criticized for “overstepping.” The culture feels emotionally draining. My child used to love swimming, now it’s become something they just “get through.” There’s a constant sense of walking on eggshells, never knowing what version of the coach is going to show up that day: dismissive, sarcastic, or disengaged. I’ve heard stories of him standing off to the side during meets, arms folded, saying nothing while swimmers are left confused or frustrated after races. That’s not coaching, that’s avoidance. Accountability is nonexistent. If something goes wrong, it’s always the athletes’ fault. When swimmers express concerns about training, communication, or mental fatigue, it’s brushed off as negativity or lack of “buy-in.” Yet, the same coach who demands accountability from his team has a program that’s reportedly $20,000 in DEBT and frequently cancels practices without explanation. The most disappointing part, though, is how little care or professionalism is shown toward the athletes as people. I’ve seen talented, motivated swimmers come into this program full of energy and potential, only to leave broken down and doubting themselves. There’s no encouragement, no trust, and no consistent standard of respect. As parents, we’re told to “trust the process,” but it’s hard to do that when the process doesn’t seem to exist. It’s even harder when the coaching staff fails to communicate with families or show appreciation for the time, travel, and financial support we provide. We’ve stood by through seasons of growing pains, but at this point, the lack of progress and professionalism can’t be ignored. The athletes at USI deserve far better leadership than what they’re getting right now. They need a coach who builds, not one who belittles, ignores, or deflects. Until that happens, I can’t in good faith recommend this program to any family looking for a healthy, supportive environment for their student-athlete."

"Coach Kainer has been a great coach during our swimmer’s time at USI. Starting a brand new program AND transitioning to D1 has it’s challenges, but Coach K. has shown great care, enthusiasm, and dedication to the program—working hard to create a strong, positive team culture and allowing the swimmers to create and contribute to that team legacy as well. He checks in with swimmers often and allows them opportunities to voice concerns, set their own goals, and to work together to have success as a swimmer, teammate, and a student. He wants to see the team have success and expects his swimmers to have that same team mindset. We have zero regrets that our swimmer chose USI! "

"I was really rooting for this coach to redeem himself at some point. Unfortunately, he fell short in EVERY department despite waiting multiple years/seasons 'coaching' our child and our diminished expectations. Factoring in this being a newer D1 program establishing itself, Coach Kainer lacks the know how, the desire and commitment and, most of all, the integrity for this school's program to be successful. He consistently plays favorites with his athletes and offers no apology or excuses for his behavior. In fact, he often remarks that he is 'in charge' and doesnt have to 'answer' to anyone for his decisions or conduct because he is the coach. He does not conduct himself progessionally in an effort to connect with his athletes. He openly mocks and remarks to his swimmers (in ALL environments and company) about his displeasure with their ability, their attitudes and even their physical appearances. Yes parents, I repeatedly heard remarks about both female and male swimmers being 'FAT', 'UGLY' and 'STUPID' season after season after season. What's more, this man is no 'looker' himself and has never put up times as a swimmer or results as a coach that give him any room to cast judgment or criticize. When it comes to day to day training, his swimmers would be better served by TikTok or Instagram sets from peers or semi-professional athletes in comparison to the effort and attention he offers. His knowledge of technique and skill is laughable, especially since he himself was a distance swimmer and/or backstroker depending on the context of the conversation. He cancels practices and team events on a regular basis despite not having any other job outside coaching or other obligations like children, family or hobbies. Exemplary behavior, hard work amd honesty are not recognized. When it comes to feam culture, he criticizes his swimmers for not getting along better or practicing positive team mentality and encouraging each other while he stands poolside, arms crossed, sulking his swimmers do not measure up against other conference teams. He regularly forgets or disregards education is one of the key components for these athletes being there unless he is being recognized for his swimmers having commendable GPAs. As a parent, he ESPECIALLY feels no need or desire to communicate with us, discourages our involvement with any team functions and is audibly ungrateful for donations, monetary or otherwise. As I'm sure most parents of swimmers have learned, we are part of a community and enjoy being involved and care deeply about not only our kids' performances in the pool but also each other. We have taught our kids that hard work, honesty, and integrity are key components to success not only in the pool but outside of it in life! Coach Kainer may claim these are fundamentals of his program but I am yet to see him practice or honor any of them. And while I'm sure it has crossed your mind once or twice already reading this review, 'why doesn't this parent just pull their kid from the team and quite complaining already'... I don't think you'd argue, swim parents are dedicated and after decades of being involved in any and all capacities year round, its easier said than done to just walk away. Our kids were raised swimming, from early ages and even earlier mornings practicing and competing, traveling and bonding year round, and eating, sleeping and breathing SWIM. We all realize that our kids will one day no longer compete an will hopefully continue the cycle with children of their own but, every component of this is lacking from Coach Kainer's program, especially for a D1 program. We really hoped he shared our passion for the sport and had our child's best interest at heart in the end. He did not and, I'd hate to see another parent AND swimmer suffer through this same process we endured and be left with as much disappointment as we have. "

"Had the privilege to work w him for over 4+ years. He always put the student athletes experience first. I know I would entrust him w my daughter if she played anymore."

"Plays mental games and encourages players to "rat out" other team mates. Horrible environment "

"Cameron Kainer is not a good coach. He is misleading, disorganized, and does not live up to his promises. He appears to care about academics but does nothing to actually help anyone. He has poor communication when it comes to weekly schedules and meet itinerary. Coach Kainer blatantly displays favoritism with certain people and it is obvious who he does not like. If you are looking for a good program where you can grow I would not recommend this school."

"Coach Cam is great with his team members, very caring and dedicated to his team. He has created a family feeling among his team (men's and women's swim & dive) and has given great leadership to a brand new team at USI (only in its second year.) We are very happy to have him in this position!"

"I’d venture to say of the most caring and knowledgeable names in the sport of college cross country. Great at getting talent that has struggled with obstacles such as injury proneness or being undertrained in high school and maximizing full potential. Would recommend to any young athlete."

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"Coach Kunkle treats all of her players well, and she's always willing to do anything for her team. I love how she's not close minded and is willing to listen to any of us. She treats us all like her own."

"Coach Kunkle creates a light, fun environment for her team. She is intense when she needs to be, but takes pride in being able to have fun and acknowledging the effort given by her team. She treats us all like her own and always will go out of her way for us."

"Takes good care of us "

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