January_February_2024_Sportorials

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January/February 2024

Kirck Family Leaves its Mark on CT Sports Community as Referees, Coaches and Players

game they would be working the final together. “You have to be able to trust the person you are officiating a game with and there is nobody I trust more than my dad,” Steve Kirck II said. “That game was like a fairy tale for me and my dad never put the stripes on again after that game.” Steve Sr. had a knack for going out on a high note. His last college football game was the 2010 Yale Harvard game and his last college basketball game was the ECAC Division III Championship game. Steve II said he never rooted

Steve. Sr. was not aware of how much that gesture meant to the girls until Meghan told him in person recently during an interview at SHA. “I look forward to that text before every game,” Meghan Kirck said, looking over at her grandfather. “He doesn’t know it but getting those texts before every game means the world to me and my sisters.” Like any family with a solid foundation, Steve Sr., Steve II and Jason are all sure to point out that none of what they have been able to do in athletics would be possible without the support, and tolerance, of their wives. Margaret is Steve Sr’s wife, Kris is married to Steve II and Laurie is Jason’s wife. “The heroes of this story aren’t my dad, brother, or myself. We are just trying to do the best we can in our chosen avocations,” Steve Kirck II said. “The true heroes are my mom, my wife and my sister-in-law. “To travel the road we have and reach the level of success we have each been fortunate enough to experience, we needed the sacrifices and support system on the home front. I know I can speak for all three of us when I say they have sacrificed a lot for us to follow our passions and we are extremely grateful for that.” With permission from Hearst Connecticut Media and reports from Scott Ericson , https://www.ctinsider.com/gametimect/article/kirck family-long-history-referees-coaches-18658389.php/ Kirck Family Leaves its Mark on CT Sports Community as Referees, Coaches and Players appropriate photo courtesies.

left to right, Steve Kirck Sr. and Steve Kirck II (photo courtesy of Steve Kirck).

for any outcome in a game he officiated, but when Trinity Catholic took a shot near the buzzer which could have tied the 2013 final, he found himself hoping it would go in so he could spend four more minutes refereeing with his dad. Steve Sr. was quick to remind his son in the locker room that four more minutes would not have mattered. They did their job to the best of their ability and, like all referees, should be happy nobody was talking about them. At that moment there was a knock on the officials locker room door and waiting outside was Jason, who had talked his way through security, with his three girls along with Brendan, Ally and their mom, Kris. Steve Sr. and Steve II went out, hugged their family and posed for a picture both will treasure forever. Last week, Steve II walked into the University of Hartford gymnasium for a game between Hartford and Curry when he saw his father sitting at the scorer’s table running the clock. Neither one knew the other would be there but both were delighted in getting to work together again. In 2022, Steve Sr. said he got to experience just as memorable of a moment when with Jason coaching and Emma and Meghan playing, SHA won the Class MM girls basketball championship on that same Mohegan Sun floor. “It was very special to see two of my grandkids play on that same court in a state championship at Mohegan Sun,” Steve Kirck Sr. said. “My perspective is different as a grandparent. I can say ‘go out there and have a good time and have fun.’” Meghan said she is grateful to have her father as a coach and watching and talking basketball is one of her favorite things to do, even if every game on TV turns into an impromptu film session with her dad. “Dinner table, car rides, anywhere. It’s hard to differentiate between coach and dad at some point,” Meghan Kirck said. “I’m part of the team but also part of his family, but we have a good process. On the court, I am his player but once we get in the car, I am able to speak about practice with him less as coach and player but more as daughter and father.” When Steve Sr. arranges his Timing is Everything schedule each year, he does so around the SHA basketball schedule. “ I have a big calendar, color coded, girls games are pink, my games are blue, doctor’s appointments are yellow. The schedule is for my own sanity,” Steve Kirck Sr. said. “It has been a great experience watching all my grandkids play sports but it’s ending too soon.” And before every game, Steve Sr. send texts to each grandchild with words of encouragement.