University of Tennessee Athletics
Albert Kirk, UT's Oldest Living Letterman, Passes Away
November 17, 2009 | Men's Basketball
Nov. 17, 2009
The University of Tennessee's oldest living letterman, Albert E. "Red" Kirk, passed away Saturday at the age of 99. A native of Knoxville and graduate of Knoxville High School, Kirk lettered on the Volunteers men's basketball team from 1932-34, serving as a team captain under coach W.H. Britton in 1934.
Kirk grew up on Cumberland Avenue near the UT campus, was on the Vols team that played the first-ever game in old Alumni Gym in December 1932 and came to own a piece of the Alumni Gym playing floor after Tennessee's basketball team moved to Armory Fieldhouse in 1958.
"I played some of every position," Kirk said during an interview a few years ago. "I played guard and forward some. Back then, they moved you around a lot more."
Nicknamed "Red" by his teammates because of his red hair, Kirk captained the 1933-34 team to a 10-7 record and remained a loyal UT supporter for many years after his days as a student-athlete.
"My wife and I were season-ticket holders for many, many years," Kirk said. "I love the Volunteers and I believe once a Vol, always a Vol."
Kirk, who was preceded in death by his wife of 54 years, Martha Gibbins Kirk, retired from the United States Postal Service and lived in Fountain City. He was a charter member of Beaver Brook Country Club and even played a round of golf on his 95th birthday.
A member of Phi Sigma fraternity during his time at UT, Kirk is survived by son Monsignor Al Kirk, daughter and son-in-law Carol and Eddie Holden, granddaughters, Shannon (Kurt) Wohldmann and Erin Bloodsworth and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services take place Tuesday at 11 a.m. at Knoxville's Holy Ghost Catholic Church. Interment will follow the service.
