KIRK HEINZE
KIRK GRADUATED FROM NEW HAVEN HIGH SCHOOL IN 1966. IN AN ERA WHEN THE BASEBALL PLAYED ONLY 7 GAMES A SEASON, KIRK POSTED A 13-2 RECORD OVER 3 YEARS, LEADING THE ROCKETS TO TWO LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIPS AND ONE SECOND PLACE FINISH. HE WAS NAMED ALL-LEAGUE THREE TIMES AND ALL-AREA HIS SENIOR YEAR. HE ALSO EARNED LETTERS IN FOOTBALL AND BASKETBALL.
AFTER REJECTING ATHLETIC SCHOLARSHIPS TO MICHIGAN STATE AND WESTERN MICHIGAN, HE DECIDED TO ATTEND ALBION COLLEGE WHERE HE LETTERED FOUR YEARS IN BASEBALL. A STARTING PITCHER FOR ALL FOUR SEASONS, KIRK WON 21 GAMES FOR THE BRITONS, COMPILING A 1.97 EARNED RUN AVERAGE. IN 1968, HE PITCHED THE MICHIGAN INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION TITLE-CLINCHING GAME AGAINST HOPE COLLEGE WHICH ENDED IN A 1-1 TIE AFTER BEING CALLED OFF DUE TO DARKNESS IN THE 11TH INNING.
AFTER GRADUATING FROM ALBION, KIRK EARNED HIS M.A. AT WAYNE STATE UNIVERSITY AND HIS P.H.D. AT MSU. BOTH ARE IN ENGLISH. CURRENTLY A PROFESSOR AND DEPARTMENT CHAIRMAN AT MICHIGAN STATE, HE HAS WON NUMEROUS MSU AND NATIONAL AWARDS FOR TEACHING, ADVISING AND SERVICE. HE ALSO HAS ONE BROTHER AND SIX SISTERS WHO ARE PROUD GRADUATES OF NHHS.