Maryland native Ben Kirk is entering his eighth season as the top assistant coach for the Messiah College in 2017-18. Kirk serves as the team’s hitting coach and recruiting coordinator. In addition, he works with the catchers, and is the director of all of the baseball camps at Messiah.
Kirk was a four year starter and a three-year All-Conference catcher during his playing career at Messiah. He graduated in 2009 with a bachelor’s degree in sport management and went on to complete his Master’s Degree in Higher Education with Athletics Management. He was a key performer in the 2008 conference championship as a student-athlete and the 3rd base coach for the 2012 championship in his 1st year of coaching.
Kirk joined Messiah’s coaching staff after working in Reading, as a Program Director and Certified Athletic Performance Specialist for Parisi Speed School. Since becoming an assistant, Messiah has: won the MAC Conference tournament (2012), come in 2nd place in the MAC Conference tournament (2016), made the playoffs 5 out of 7 seasons, had 25 All-Conference student-athletes, and 2 All-American student-athletes, seen 2 players move on to the professional ranks, and has consistently led the conference in Academic Honors.
"I am thrilled about the opportunity to coach for my alma mater and be a part of building a successful program. I had a great experience at Messiah as a player, and I am grateful for the opportunity to make an impact as an assistant coach. Our goal is to be a successful baseball program that seeks to glorify God on and off the field through good character and Christ-like leadership.”
Coach Kirk currently resides in Dillsburg with his wife Francesca and their son James.