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Basketball Endowment Growing, First Alumnus Donor is Alex Kirk

Basketball Endowment Growing, First Alumnus Donor is Alex KirkBasketball Endowment Growing, First Alumnus Donor is Alex Kirk

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The University of New Mexico men’s basketball endowment is growing and former Lobo great Alex Kirk has recently become the first Lobo alumnus to donate a gift to the new fund.

The new “Lobo for Life Men’s Basketball Operational Fund” is the first of its kind for UNM men’s basketball in the history of the program and allows for support for the program in a diverse way. As the fund grows, the program is able to utilize the interest generated by the fund for various costs in addition to the allotted budget.

“I see this as an opportunity to be a lifetime supporter and partner of the program that I grew up watching and made me into the player I am today,” Kirk said. “As a former Lobo, to be able to help this year’s team and at the same time support the teams of the future means so much. I can’t wait to watch this fund grow and see all the ways it benefits our beloved basketball program. Go Lobos!”

"As a former Lobo, to be able to help this year's team and at the same time support the teams of the future means so much. I can’t wait to watch this fund grow and see all the ways it benefits our beloved basketball program. Go Lobos!" -Alex Kirk

In his time as a Lobo, Kirk became one of just 17 Lobos to achieve 1,000 points and 500 rebounds, finishing with 1,010 points and 685 boards. He currently ranks eighth all-time in single-season double-doubles with 14 and also ranks eighth all-time in career double-doubles with 24. He also finished his Lobo career fourth all-time in career blocks with 168.

A two-time All-Mountain West Defensive Team honoree and three-time Academic All-Conference selection, Kirk was also named to the 2013 USBWA All-District Team and to the 2014 NABC All-District Second Team. He is one of just two Lobos to compete in the World University Games (2013). Kirk helped lead the Lobos to a pair of MW Conference Championships in 2013 and 2014.

“Getting to know Alex and his family has been an absolute pleasure,” head coach Paul Weir said. “To see a former player come back and help kick off this amazing initiative for a coach he never played for demonstrates not only tremendous grace on Alex’s part but how special this basketball program is to so many. We are all incredibly grateful for this gift.”