Elder’s Mike Kirch doesn’t let anything stop him on the field
CINCINNATI (BVM) – Whether he’s on the football field or basketball court, Mike Kirch does all the little things that help his team win. The 6-foot-5 senior has continued to excel, all while dealing with something most of his teammates and opponents don’t have to.
At a young age, Kirch’s parents noticed some of the athlete’s involuntary movements, or “tics,” such as blinking or squinting his face. During his sophomore year of high school, Kirch was officially diagnosed with Tourette syndrome.
“We finally went to a specialist my sophomore year and he officially diagnosed it,” Kirch said.
Admittedly, the syndrome can give Kirch some anxiety, such as when he is taking a group photo. However, having Tourette’s has never held him back.
“I didn’t fully understand it until the last couple of years,” Kirch added. “There’s always going to be people who might give you a second look or something like that. People aren’t going to always understand why. You just have to live with it and surround yourself with a good group of people.”
Kirch has been able to do just that throughout his life. His friends and teammates at Elder High School have always provided support, but so too has his family.
“I’ve gotten tons of support from parents, siblings, cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents, more than I deserve,” Kirch said. “I would say I have a pretty great support system.”
Often, that support has come within athletics. Since kindergarten, Kirch has played both football and basketball, also competing in baseball until high school. Instantly, he fell in love with the gridiron, and developed more and more of a passion for the hardwood playing in a local league.
When it comes to football, the Elder senior was also heavily influenced by his cousin, Joe Royer. After a tremendous career at Elder, Royer has gone on to play tight end for one of college football’s most prestigious programs: Ohio State.
“I’d say my idol in football is my cousin,” Kirch said. “I grew up watching him and loving everything he did and got to watch him in high school. Now he’s at Ohio State and doing great things there.”
As Kirch continued with both sports in high school, he continued to develop some of his main attributes in each basketball and football, including his high IQ and athleticism. Continuing to grow into his 6-foot-5 frame also helped him to become a valuable contributor for the Panthers.
Kirch began his high school football career on Elder’s freshman team, and transitioned from wide receiver to tight end as a sophomore, bouncing back and forth between varsity and JV. Although it was a tough transition as he was undersized while moving to a bigger position, a state finals run by the Panthers gave Kirch plenty of inspiration for the future.
“We had a really good year,” Kirch said. “At the end of the season, I realized I want to be playing at the highest level. I don’t want to be sitting on the bench anymore when we’re in these big games. I want to take my talent to the next step.”
Over the summer, Kirch put on more weight, getting bigger and stronger while becoming a role player on the team’s varsity squad as a junior. He continued to take his game to the next level as a senior. Although the Panthers finished just 6-6, the tight end kept improving as he eyed an opportunity to play the sport in college.
“It obviously was not what we had hoped for, but we were proud with the way we ended,” Kirch noted. “I think we left a lasting impression on the younger classes which is what it’s about. It’s about giving back and leaving it better than what it was.”
Kirch not only did that on the football field, but also the basketball court at Elder. The two-sport athlete became a starter on his freshman team in his first year with the Panthers, and continued his progression to the JV and varsity levels as a sophomore.
A full-time varsity player as a junior, Kirch helped the Panthers to a district championship for the first time in several years. With several seniors coming back for this season, the 18-year-old was excited for his final year.
“Senior year was a really fun year,” Kirch said. “As the year went on, playing more and more, I just was trying to help the team win. I’m not much of a scorer but I’m an energy guy … We just tried to have fun. I have guys on the team I’ve played with since kindergarten, so it was really fun to just have one last ride with those guys.”
Unfortunately, the season ended with an early playoff exit for Elder, but the team did earn its first outright conference championship in over a decade, and Kirch sees the season as a success.
Although Kirch’s basketball career may be over, his athletic career is not. Next fall, Kirch will take the field for the Thomas More University football program.
Going into his senior year, Kirch didn’t have any offers, but knew he wanted to play in college. After going to some camps over the summer and continuing to improve his game, Kirch was invited for an official visit at Thomas More. Before long, he was sold on joining the program.
“All the coaches were really nice,” Kirch said. “They did a great job of making me feel comfortable there and helping me see what my role would be. That left an impression on me.”
Another factor in Kirch going to Thomas More was having some friends there already from Elder. But perhaps the biggest was following in his family’s footsteps and having the chance to build on the legacy they have already left with the Saints.
Kirch’s father, Ike, is a former basketball player at Thomas More. Meanwhile, his mother, Jody, was a standout volleyball player for the Saints who is in the school’s athletic hall of fame.
“Both my parents went to Thomas More and played sports,” Mike said. “I knew Thomas More was the right place for me, I’m happy with my decision to go there. I’m just excited that I get to keep playing football. There’s only so many people who get these opportunities, and I’m just happy to be one of those guys.”
The tight end hopes to play right from the start as a freshman for the Saints, but knows it will take a long summer of work before he takes the field. Still, he is planning on having a strong career at Thomas More, maybe even one that rivals his mom’s on the volleyball court.
“My mom is in the hall of fame there so I guess I have to one up her somehow,” Mike added.
Mike is considering studying business in college, but would love to stay involved with football once his studies are done. No matter where his future takes him, Mike has already left a lasting mark, and continues to inspire many, on and off the field.
