He grew up in Katy, played football for Stratford High School, and made history as a University of Houston Quarterback. He then went pro, got his Ph.D., and has called Katy home for the last 18 years. Meet David Klinger, who continues to bless our community with his outreach efforts.
David Klingler became Dr. David Klinger after his meteoric rise in the world of football. To this day he name is revered by Houstonians and football afficionados who proudly witnessed him set numerous passing records from 1988 – 1991 for the University of Houston Cougars. He still ranks in the top ten for career touchdown passes and yards in a career. His feats are astounding, including his 11 touchdown passes against Eastern Washington University at the Astrodome in 1990, followed by the NCAA (division I) record for most yards gained in a single game. At UH he completed 726 of 1,262 passes for 9,430 yards and 91 touchdowns, blowing school records at the time completely out of the water. His single season touchdown pass record stood for 16 years until it was broken in 2006 at the Hawaii Bowl. He played for the Cincinatti Bengals and the Oakland Raiders and signed with the Green Bay Packers before being cut in 1998.
Klinger chased his Masters and Doctorate at Dallas Theological Seminary, where he earned degrees in Theology and Old Testament studies. As the Executive Director of the non-denominational Dallas Theological Seminary’s extension campus in Houston, Klinger oversees a renowned curriculum for students in and around the local area. Located in Houston at I-59 & Hillcroft, DTS-Houston offers the flagship Master of Theology degree with several track options as well as a Master of Arts in Christian Education designed for those called into youth ministry, campus ministry, and school administration. Degrees designed for lay leaders are also available.
“I could have gone anywhere for my upper grad degrees, but I chose DTS because it started in 1924 and has never wavered from teaching the truth in a day and age of political correctness and compromise,” says Klinger. “It has the best theological training one can get , and to have one here in houston is an easy commute down Westpark Tollway.” When asked if DTS will continue to expand west into other locations, the answer is, “Yes. It is hard to have one Houston location that serves everyone in Katy or Sugar Land or Cypress.” According to Klinger, “The plan is that eventually online and extension campuses will continue to appear in the future to serve students where they are.”
Klinger continues to be active in the community. His kids attend junior high and high school in Katy ISD and for the last 4 – 5 years he has headed an outreach Bible study on Friday mornings for coaches at Cinco Ranch. He is also active in the Katy Young Life commitee and the KEYS program in Katy ISD. He attends Katy’s First Baptist Church. “I became a Christian in college at UH through Young Life, then volunteered as a leader. I’ve supported Young Life ever since along with Athletes in Action and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.” The plight of today’s youth weighs heavily on Klinger’s heart. “Young Life Clubs are aimed at kids who are unchurched. It is important to get your kids involved, but it is more important that kids see their parents get involved. They need to see their faith modeled.”
As for football aspirations for his sons? “Both play and they love it, but it is a game. No matter how good you are, you won’t be playing forever. Preparing them for life is more important than preparing them for football, although sometimes the two converge .”
For more information on DTS-Houston, visit out dts.edu/houston; for more information on Fellowship of Christian Athletes, visit fca.org; or for more information on Young Life visit younglife.org/us.
