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 The significance of the Shirk Scholarship
cannot be fully appreciated without understanding the gifted, selfless
man that it honors. Eugene Shirk was a remarkable,
vital part of Albright College and the entire Reading and Berks County community.
He made profound, life-long contributions in the areas of education, athletics,
recreation, religion, politics, human services and communications.
Gene Shirk began his career as a math teacher
and coach at Birdsboro High School; after 14 years, he was appointed
principal. During World War II, he served
for three years in the U.S. Air Force. After the war, he joined Albright
College as a math professor, track and cross-country coach, and
manager of the athletic
department.
When Mr. Shirk was 62, he was asked to run for
mayor of Reading. With the volunteer assistance of admiring Albright
students, he won election on an
anti-corruption
platform—and went on to become one of the few two-term mayors in
Reading history.
Gene Shirk stepped down as mayor at age 75 and
returned to Albright as Coach Shirk. He became nationally recognized
as the country’s oldest college
coach in any sport, as well as one of the most successful. He was also
a beloved mentor to his students. He took the time to be their
friend as well as their
coach, and he and his wife often welcomed students into their home to
talk and share a meal.
At age 77, Gene Shirk was asked to serve as
president of Berks Community Television, where he became a national
pioneer in interactive cable TV
and hosted a talk
show designed to help high school students with their concerns.
Throughout the years, Gene Shirk was integrally
involved with his church and more than 25 civic groups, including
the commission for downtown
renewal, the
Reading Phillies, the Kiwanis Club, the American Cancer Society,
the Rotary Club, the YMCA, M.A.D.D., and the White House Conference
on
Aging.
Even more striking than Gene Shirk’s commitment to helping others was his
strength of character – his integrity, compassion and humble
manner. He was a natural leader whose zest for life came from living
each day to the fullest,
and who treated all persons with respect and graciousness.
Gene Shirk radiated optimism and hope for the
future. He expressed faith in young people and encouraged his students
and friends to
always give
their best
effort,
whatever their goal. Gene Shirk is remembered, quite simply,
as being an inspiration to everyone he touched.
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