Erin Kirby

Classroom

Kirby is a Speech, Language, and Hearing Science major with a cumulative GPA of 3.359. Despite finding her desired career path a little late in her career, she has shown great dedication to her academics. She has made the Dean’s List six semesters at Wyoming. In addition, she has garnered league honors Academic All-Mountain West Selection three years in a row and has contributed to the team GPA for the AVCA Team Academic Award all four years. Erin does a wonderful job of balancing her athletic obligations with a program of great academic rigor, proving that she really is a student-athlete.

Character

It is with great pleasure that I recommend Erin Kirby for this year’s Senior CLASS Award. Erin is a consummate team player and has been a starter for the Cowgirls the last three years.  She has a “can do” attitude that is infectious and has always put the team ahead of any individual accolades.  Erin is deeply driven by her faith and has been an outstanding role model to her peers.  She has volunteered countless hours to better our community and is selfless in her efforts.  This award was not created for the best player, even though Erin has the accolades.  This award embodies the essence of a student-athlete, one who is a difference-maker on the court, in the classroom and in the eyes of our community.  With these ideals in mind, you will not find a more deserving candidate than Erin Kirby for this year’s Senior CLASS Award.

Community

Erin is a great example of a student-athlete who is committed to service to her community. She has been involved in the following events every year: Toys for Tots (collection/wrapping of toys and monetary contributions for underprivileged children in the area), SAAC Holiday Carnival (a non-profit event where underprivileged children and their families come to the athletic facilities to play games and celebrate the holiday season), Adopt a Family (during 2010-2012 the volleyball team sponsored a family throughout the year), and Read Across America (during the month of March, student-athletes go into elementary classrooms to read to the children and generally serve as a role models). In addition to these ongoing efforts, Erin has also taken part in one-time activities such as: Laramie Little League Car Wash, Interfaith Food Pantry Collection, shoe and clothing drives for Vietnam Veteran’s Association, Operation Christmas Child box collection, 1st day of school crossing guards for Slade Elementary, Walk for Women, and sending Thanksgiving letter for troops overseas. Erin has taken part in these activities with much enthusiasm and is always willing to give back to her community. Especially as a student-athlete from the state of Wyoming, she serves as an amazing role model to the children of this state and exudes gratefulness to the fans and community members who helped provide her the privilege of being a Wyoming Cowgirl.

Competition

Kirby enters her senior year as a three-time All-Mountain West selection during her career. She has also been selected the Mountain West Player of the Week three times. The past two seasons, she has led the MW in blocks while finishing second and third in the nation each of those years as well. She ranks second all-time in school history in career blocks and set the Cowgirls’ single-season mark the past two years with 225 and 204 blocks. Besides volleyball, she also participates in Track and Field at UW.