EXCELSIOR, Minn. - On Saturday, August 2 Concordia-St. Paul baseball alum Kirk Ingram ('09) was paralyzed in a swimming accident on Lake Minnetonka. Now, the Concordia community is rallying around the former standout student-athlete, who earned multiple accolades athletically and academically.
Kirk and his wife, Melissa recently welcomed their daughter, Alexa into their family on July 18.
From the family's Caring Bridge website (by Kirk's father-in-law, John Cornwell): "Tragedy has struck, but hope remains. Kirk is alive. Yesterday, while enjoying a beautiful summer day with friends on Lake Minnetonka, Kirk playfully dove into the water, and unfortunately struck the bottom, injuring his neck. The injury is severe. He was rescued by his friends, a nearby doctor and EMT, and local authorities, then air lifted to North Memorial Hospital, where he underwent complex surgery for several hours. Melissa, baby Alexa, his parents, sister, grandparents, and more family and friends, gathered at the hospital and waited throughout the night. The doctor met us early this morning with news that the surgery to stabilize his spine was successful. However, Kirk's spinal cord was damaged, leaving him with little to no feeling in his arms or legs. This damage may be permanent. Those of you who know Kirk, know that he has amazing physical strength and will power. If anyone can defy the odds and overcome this injury, it is Kirk. No one works harder or demands more of himself than Kirk. In the ICU, he was awake and aware -- thinking first and foremost of the other people who are affected. He remains our hero. We will try to provide you with regular updates on this website. Thank you in advance for your thoughts and prayers. Kirk has a long road ahead. Yet we know that, with God, all things are possible."
Ingram earned the NSIC's Britton Award in 2009 and was a two-time "Top-4" student-athlete at CSP. The two awards are the top honors for the league and institution and recognize a student-athlete's all-around impact for their performance on the field, in the classroom and in the community.
"Kirk is a caring, polite and respectful person. He was a great player for us, but he was a better teammate and person - an unbelievable human being," said head baseball coach Mark "Lunch" McKenzie. "He's doing well professionally, and is the blueprint of the type of man you'd want your daughter to marry. He's flat-out one of the best kids I've ever coached here, and the outpouring of support from players and alumni is a testament to Kirk's character."
Ingram holds Concordia's career record for saves with 14. In a program record 71 career appearances (one start) between 2006 and 2009, Ingram compiled an 11-6 record and a 4.71 earned run average, striking out 87 in 116.2 innings. During Concordia's 2008 NSIC Championship and NCAA Tournament appearance, Ingram compiled 19 strikeouts in 15.1 relief innings with a pair of wins and a pair of saves in 11 relief appearances. Of his 71 appearances, Ingram finished a program record 51 games.
"Kirk was an overachiever and a fierce competitor (as a member of the baseball team)," said McKenzie. "He once got two wins in a day and we used him in all kinds of roles. He was a vital cog in our NSIC Tournament Championship and NCAA Tournament run in 2008."
He made an immediate impact, going 5-1 with five saves and a 2.87 ERA as a freshman and finished his career strong, going 3-3 with five saves and a 4.10 ERA as a senior.
The athletics department and baseball program have asked the CSP community to visit the Caring Bridge, Go Fund Me and #TeamKirk t-shirt links for updates on Kirk's status and to support his family at this time (links at the top).
