In just his second year at Pascack Hills, Mr. Kirkby has already become a favorite amongst the students.
Mr. Kirkby has only made positive contributions to Cowboy Country so far, whether you know him as your math teacher, basketball coach, or just the really cool guy in the hallways.
As someone who knows him on a much more personal level, I can tell you that Coach Kirkby is much more than just a great math teacher who always makes class enjoyable.
After posting a fantastic 27-3 record and a state sectional title in his first year as the Varsity Basketball coach, he is looking to build on the success of his inaugural season.
However, what most of you probably don’t know is that Coach Kirkby has experienced an exceptional athletic career even before becoming the basketball coach here, and certainly hasn’t taken the typical path to becoming a high school math teacher.
Mr. Kirkby was a very talented 3-sport athlete at Pascack Valley in baseball, basketball, and soccer.
He was all-league in every sport, and all county in baseball and basketball; it would have been great, however, if he could have done all of that for Pascack Hills instead of our rivals.
His athletic achievements did not end in high school, as he went on to play baseball for St. Joseph’s University.
He set many impressive records in his 4 years in college, including becoming the all time leader in hits (263) and runs (163).
In his junior year, Kirkby was a third-team All American as a Division-1 baseball player, which is an amazing honor.
Despite all of that success, Coach Kirkby’s most prestigious accolade definitely came recently when he was inducted into the St. Joseph’s Athletic Hall of Fame.
When asked about what that experience was like, he said, “I was shocked and excited when I got the phone call. It was quite an honor to be recognized as one of the best athletes in the whole school and in the same boat as the athletes who are in the Hall of Fame already.”
Looking back on his career, Mr. Kirkby said his most memorable athletic experience was the first time he dunked in a basketball summer league going into freshman year.
He also said his most memorable coaching experience was last year when he won the State Sectional Championship against Pequannock, and hopefully he will win many more.
Coach Kirkby is beginning his 2nd season coaching the boys Varsity team and is very excited.
When asked what made him take the basketball job instead of pursuing coaching his most successful sport, baseball, he said, “I always wanted to coach both, but obviously the boys basketball job here is one that a lot of people want, and it was a great opportunity when the position opened up. Even though I was always successful playing baseball, I always loved playing and coaching basketball. Being here at Hills coaching and teaching is great and I can’t think of anything else I’d rather be doing.”
Coach Kirkby was drilled in the face during an at-bat towards the end of his college career and received 48 stitches.
He tried to play baseball after college and would have liked to see what would have happened had he played in the minor leagues, but never was the same player at the plate.
Although injuries are never good, Coach Kirkby has no regrets where his career has gone and we are very lucky to have him at our school.
With many more great experiences to come in what has been an outstanding athletic career, Coach Kirkby will continue his success as our basketball coach.
