Hun names athletic lobby for Quirks

Longtime athletic directors surprised by announcement

By:
   The Hun School dedicated the lobby of its new Athletic Center to Athletic Director and Assistant Director Bill and Kathy Quirk at the School’s annual Spring Varsity Sports Banquet. Headmaster James M. Byer ’62 welcomed guests and opened the banquet with the surprise announcement.
   "At the heart of Hun School spirit is Hun School athletics; at the center of Hun School athletics are Bill and Kathy Quirk," Dr. Byer said. "For a combined 61 years, Mr. and Mrs. Quirk have served The Hun School community as teachers, coaches, dorm parents, and assistant director and director of athletics.
   "It is often noted that they seem ever-present at athletic competitions, but it is remarkable that they also manage to attend countless School events, art performances, and fundraisers. They are always the first to volunteer to participate in School activities, administrative committees, and student initiatives. They are exceptional leaders and teammates themselves and prefer to demonstrate those qualities humbly. They have been known to wash players’ uniforms, baby-sit coaches’ children and change light bulbs. Having donated numerous personal resources to The Hun School, they inspire others and multiply their positive influence beyond their daily interactions."
   The announcement was extremely well received by the crowd, who applauded enthusiastically to honor the well-loved husband and wife team. Mr. and Mrs. Quirk were surprised and visibly overwhelmed by the gesture. In their traditional style, they graciously thanked the community and returned the focus of the evening to the student-athletes.
   "Mr. and Mrs. Quirk have had a profound impact on the lives of countless Hun School students," Dr. Byer said. "Their coaching philosophies transcend athletics and instill values of teamwork, leadership, commitment, and perseverance. They have given the community innumerable traditions and are responsible for decades of camaraderie and benevolence among its members."
   Under their leadership, Raiders have won prep, state, and even national championships and have gone on to play collegiate, Olympic, and professional athletics.
   A dramatic cathedral ceiling atrium, the Quirk Family Lobby overlooks the upper and lower campus and will become a central gathering space for future generations of Hun School student-athletes and supporters.
   Over 500 student-athletes, families, faculty and coaches gathered to celebrate the season’s success with a barbecue and team awards. The event took place just outside the newly completed Hun School athletic Center where tables and chairs overlooked the athletic fields and new lower-campus landscape.