LASTING INFLUENCE: Bill and Kathy Quirk enjoy the moment after they learned that the lobby in the school's gleaming new Athletics Center is being named in their honor. In his remarks regarding the lobby dedication, Hun Headmaster James Byer said that "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 went on to note that the Quirks have served The Hun School community as teachers, coaches, dorm parents, and assistant director and director of athletics for a combined 61 years.

Hun Names Gym Lobby in Quirks' Honor, Leaving Couple Speechless and Touched

Bill Alden

Bill Quirk has been a vocal presence on the sidelines at Hun School athletics events for more than a quarter century.

The longtime athletics director is known for appearing at just about any game, whether it be fall, winter, or spring, and barking out pointers to Hun players in his no-nonsense style.

Last Wednesday, though, Quirk was left speechless at the school's annual spring sports banquet.

Quirk was rendered temporarily mute when he and his wife, Kathy, the assistant athletics director, learned that the lobby in the school's gleaming new Athletics Center will be named in their honor.

"The whole idea caught Kathy and me off guard," said Quirk. "At first, we thought it was joke or that we must be dreaming."

Once the Quirks got their bearings, they were deeply touched by the gesture. "It's great that the school, trustees, parents, and students would think enough of us to do that," said Quirk. "We didn't get into education and coaching with something like that in mind."

In his remarks regarding the lobby dedication, Hun Headmaster James M. Byer said that the Quirks are very much on the mind of the school community on a daily basis.

"At the heart of Hun School spirit is Hun School athletics; at the center of Hun School athletics are Bill and Kathy Quirk," asserted Dr. Byer.

"For a combined sixty-one years, Mr. and Mrs. Quirk have served The Hun School community as teachers, coaches, dorm parents, and assistant director and director of athletics. They have coached all but two of the twenty-one sports offered for girls and boys. Under their leadership, Raiders have won prep, state, and even national championships and have gone on to play collegiate, Olympic, and professional athletics.

Byer pointed out that the Quirks' influence at Hun extends beyond 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," added Byer.

"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."

The Quirks have gone out of their way to do the little things that have a lasting impact on the lives they have touched. "They have been known to wash players' uniforms, baby sit coaches' children, and change light bulbs," said Byer.

"Having donated numerous personal resources to The Hun School, they inspire others and multiply their positive influence beyond their daily interactions. Mr. and Mrs. Quirk have had a profound impact on the lives of countless Hun School students. Their coaching philosophies transcend athletics and instill values of teamwork, leadership, commitment, and perseverance."

For Quirk, the relationship with the kids is at the heart of why he and his wife have become fixtures at Hun. "We stay in education and coaching to be around the kids; it's great to see them develop," said Quirk. "We've had kids that have come here from a troubled past. It's nice when they come back five years later and thank you."

Tough love is certainly part of Quirk's approach. "I tell the teachers and coaches don't worry if the kids don't like you as long as they respect you," asserted Quirk, who is an assistant coach of the softball team while his wife is the head coach of both the softball and field hockey teams.

"You have to keep a distance in the teacher-student, coach-player relationship. They may not like what you're telling them now but they will thank you later."

In Quirk's view, things are going very well now at Hun. "The spirit here is extremely high," said Quirk. "I think the students are proud of what they have been able to do in academics and athletics. We have kids going to some very good colleges. The parents are pleased with the new buildings. The school is getting a face lift and people are feeling great about being a part of Hun.

Quirk, for his part, plans to be part of Hun for a while. "I'm 51, I have a couple of years left before retirement," said Quirk with a laugh.

"We've been approached by other places and when we sit down and think about it, we say why would we want to leave. The kids, teachers, and administration have been great to us. I'm real happy with where we are at Hun; I think we can even get better."

And there can be no doubt that the Quirks have changed many lives for the better during their time at Hun.

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