Inducted into the IGHSA Softball Pitchers Hall of Fame in 1978

Inducted into the Iowa Women's Amateur Association Fastpitch Softball Hall of Fame in 1993

Inducted into the Grand View University Athletic Hall of Fame in 2001

Inducted into the IGHSA All Softball Player Hall of Fame in 2017

Cindy Johnston Ford is a 1977 graduate of Norwalk High School and was a multi-sport athlete
earning eight letters while participating in basketball and softball. She was a four year letter winner in
basketball earning 1st Team all-conference honors in both her junior and senior seasons as well as
being a co-captain both years. But it was in softball that Cindy was arguably one of the best pitchers
not only in Norwalk history but in state history. She compiled a career pitching record of 164 wins and
49 losses and ended her high school career with a microscopic .808 ERA as well as a career batting
average of .310. She earned 1st Team All-Conference honors in her sophomore, junior, and senor
seasons and was a 2nd Team All-State selection her sophomore year and a 1st Team All-State
selection both her junior and senior seasons while leading the Warriors to two state softball
tournament appearances. After graduating, Cindy continued her softball career at Grandview
University and was named the team’s MVP all four years of her collegiate career as well as twice
being named Grandview University’s Female Athlete of the Year her junior season. During her senior
year she helped lead the Vikings to a 3rd place finish in the NCAA Division II National Softball
Tournament while earning MVP honors in the regional tournament. Cindy has been honored with
numerous hall of fame inductions including the IGHSA Softball Pitchers Hall of Fame in 1978, the
Iowa Women’s Amateur Association Fast pitch Softball Hall of Fame as a pitcher in 1993, Grand View
University Athletic Hall of Fame for Softball in 2001, and the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union All
Player Softball Hall of Fame in 2017. Cindy retired from the Principal Financial Group in August of
2019 after 32 ½ years of service with the company. Her parents Norman and Mary Johnston still live
in Norwalk and she lives with her partner Bill Smith. Cindy has six children, Andy and Matt Ford and
Connor, Jake, Nathan, and Dillon Smith.