Saint Vincent mourns the passing of longtime athletic director Rev. Myron Kirsch, O.S.B.

When Rev. Myron Kirsch, O.S.B., was a student at Saint Vincent, he was an outstanding baseball player in the Latrobe area. And before he became the school’s athletic director in 1983, he served as an assistant baseball coach from 1980-83.

Kirsch oversaw numerous projects and changes at the school during his 40 years as athletic director and faculty member.

Saint Vincent and the community are mourning Kirsch, who died Sunday. He was 78. Kirsch served as athletic director from 1983 to 2023.

He helped with the school’s transition from male-only to coeducational and presided over the introduction of women’s sports on the varsity level with the addition of basketball and tennis in 1983 and softball and volleyball in 1985.

“We are grateful for Father Myron’s many accomplishments and the contributions he made to our college through his leadership,” Saint Vincent President Rev. Paul R. Taylor, O.S.B., said. “During his more than 40 years as athletic director, he led the athletic program and all its varsity sports toward excellence, both on the scoreboard and in accordance with our Benedictine values. His presence in our community will be deeply missed.”

Twenty-three years after the addition of women’s sports, Kirsch led the athletic department through major changes as the programs moved from NAIA to NCAA Division III and joined the Presidents’ Athletic Conference. The Bearcats became full-time PAC members in 2010-11.

Kirsch also played a pivotal role in the return of football in 2007 and wrestling in 2021.

“I know I speak for the entire Saint Vincent community when I say that today is a very sad day,” athletic director and men’s basketball coach D.P. Harris said. “Father Myron was a great man and a great leader. He served as a trusted mentor for so many coaches and was a pillar of support for each and every student-athlete and coach at Saint Vincent. We express our deepest condolences to his family and to the Saint Vincent Benedictine community.”

Born in Spangler, Pa., on April 22, 1946, to the late Herman A. and Catherine (Kritzer) Kirsch, he grew up in nearby Nicktown, one of nine children.

His brothers and sisters are Sister Celine Marie Kirsch, R.S.M., of Guyana, South America; Ronald Kirsch of Parma, Ohio; Reginald Kirsch of Grafton, Ohio; Zelda (Mrs. Thomas) Ochocki of Parma, Ohio; and Marilyn Kirsch of Seven Hills, Ohio; and the late Shirley (Mrs. Charles) McNulty, Marge (Mrs. Paul) Smego, and Maxine (Mrs. Michael) Bender.

Kirsch graduated from Saint Vincent in 1969 with a bachelor’s degree in philosophy. He received a master of divinity degree from Saint Vincent Seminary in 1973, and a master of business administration degree from Loyola University in Chicago in 1977. He was ordained a priest in Saint Vincent Archabbey Basilica on May 12, 1973, and served as weekend assistant at St. John (Summerhill, Pa.) and Immaculate Conception (New Germany, Pa.) parishes from 1994-2021.

The body of Rev. Kirsch will be received at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 11, at the parlor of the Elizabeth J. Roderick Center of Saint Vincent Seminary, where viewing will be held until 5 p.m. The wake service in the Basilica will begin at 7 p.m., with celebrant and homilist Rev. Prior Killian Loch, O.S.B. A concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial, celebrated by Rev. Killian, will take place at 2 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 12, in the Basilica. Brother Norman Hipps, O.S.B., will give a post-communion reflection. The Rite of Committal will follow at the Mary, Mother of Mercy Mausoleum Chapel at Saint Vincent Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Benedictine Health and Welfare Fund, Saint Vincent Archabbey, 300 Fraser Purchase Road, Latrobe, PA 15650.