FULTON, MS - Itawamba Community College has announced it will name its newly-renovated softball field in honor of former head coach Andy Kirk, whose remarkable career elevated the program to national prominence.
Known for his dedication, leadership and incomparable success, Kirk transformed the softball program into a national powerhouse.
In 2022, his team earned the first-ever NJCAA No. 1 ranking in the program's history, solidifying its status among the nation's elite. A year earlier, the Indians captured the 2021 MACCC regular season championship with a dominant 25-3 conference record. The Indians won the 2019 MACCC Tournament Championship, finished runner-up in the NJCAA Region 23 Tournament and earned a seventh-place finish at the NJCAA National Tournament, further showcasing his ability to succeed at the highest levels of competition.
Kirk's teams consistently set a standard of excellence, achieving eight straight 30-plus-win seasons (2012-19) before COVID disrupted the 2020 softball season. He finished his final two seasons with 30-plus wins (21-22). During his tenure, ICC produced 13 NJCAA and NFCA All-Americans along with 23 NJCAA and NFCA All-Region selections. They also won the MACCC North Division Championship four-straight seasons (2012-15) before the league changed to the statewide conference format.
Off the field, Kirk's teams regularly earned recognition for their academic success, ranking among the top 10 in team GPAs nationally, highlighting his commitment to fostering well-rounded student-athletes.
Throughout his career, Kirk has been recognized for his exceptional contributions to the sport.
He has been named MACCC Softball Coach of the Year three times (2018, 19, 21). Kirk's overall career record of 565-231, including a 376-130 mark at ICC, is a testament to his sustained success. Under his leadership, ICC has achieved five top-10 NJCAA national rankings and made 10 postseason appearances – only missing the 2020 postseason when COVID shut down the season.
ICC will hold a special pregame ceremony dedicating the field to Kirk on Tuesday, February 4, before it's season-opening doubleheader against Wallace State. The first game of the doubleheader is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. - Individuals attending the ceremony are encouraged to be at the field 30 minutes prior to the opening pitch.
Please note schedule and events are subject to change due to weather interruptions.
