Don Kirsch

Donald Kirsch (September 29, 1920[1] – May 7, 1970) was a college baseball coach at the University of Oregon for 23 years.

Biographical details
BornSeptember 29, 1920
Portland, Oregon
DiedMay 7, 1970(1970-05-07) (aged 49)
Stanford, California
Playing career
1940-1943Oregon
Position(s)Second base
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1948-1970Oregon
Head coaching record
Overall445-242

Early life and playing career

Kirsch was born in Portland, Oregon in 1920. He attended Jefferson High School where he played basketball and baseball.[2] He played on three Portland Interscholastic League championship baseball teams and was all-PIL in both baseball and basketball.[2]

After graduating from high school, Kirsch attended the University of Oregon, where he played baseball and basketball for Howard Hobson, who was coach of both teams. Kirsch was a three-year letterman in both sports.[2][3]

Coaching career

In 1948, Hobson left Oregon to coach basketball at Yale, and Kirsch was named to succeed him as the Ducks' baseball coach.[4] In his 23 years as head coach, Kirsch never had a losing season.[5] Under his leadership, the Ducks won five Northern Division titles, and in 1954, led the Ducks to the 1954 College World Series. Though the team was eliminated in two straight games, this marked Oregon's only appearance in the College World Series. Kirsch was named District VIII coach of the year in 1963.[5]

Illness and death

In 1967, Kirsch was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.[6] He continued to coach the Ducks until 1970, when he stepped down as coach to pursue experimental medical treatment at Stanford University Medical Center.[6] On May 7, 1970, Kirsch fell from a second-story balcony at Stanford Hospital into a courtyard, and died soon afterwards from massive head injuries.[6][7][8]

Legacy

Kirsch was named to the American Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1972,[9] the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame in 1981,[10] the University of Oregon Sports Hall of Fame in 1993,[5] and the Portland Interscholastic League Sports Hall of Fame in 2005.[2]

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References
  1. Birthdate obtained from Social Security Death Index.
  2. "Don Kirsch". Portland Interscholastic League Sports Hall of Fame. Retrieved 2007-06-27.
  3. "Lists of Championships and Coaches". University of Oregon Libraries. Retrieved 2007-06-27.
  4. "Don Kirsch". University of Oregon Libraries. Retrieved 2007-06-27.
  5. "Don Kirsch". GoDucks.com. Archived from the original on 2011-07-25. Retrieved 2007-06-27.
  6. "Fall Kills Duck Coach". Walla Walla Union-Bulletin. May 8, 1970.
  7. Conrad, John (May 8, 1970). "Hospital fall ends Kirsch's biggest battle". The Register-Guard.
  8. "Oregon Coach, Donald Kirsch, Dies After Fall". Los Angeles Times. May 8, 1970. p. E14.
  9. "ABCA Hall of Famers" (PDF). American Baseball Coaches Association. Retrieved 2007-06-27.
  10. "Hall of Fame Roll of Honor Members". Oregon Sports Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on July 27, 2011. Retrieved April 15, 2011.
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