Inductee Details

Kirk Wren

Induction Class of 2016
Sports: Track and Field, Cross Country
Kirk Wren
In his 20 years at the helm of the cross country and track and field teams, Kirk earned nine conference “Coach-of-the-Year” honors; three from men’s cross country (1996, 2001, 2004), five with women’s cross country (1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2003), and once for women’s track (2000). He led the women’s cross country team to the 2003 KCAC Championship and has coached 11 NAIA All-Americans, 91 conference champions, 101 Daktronic Scholar Athletes, and 29 NAIA Scholar Teams. His teams have set 42 school records.

Kirk also excelled in the classroom as a member of the OU faculty. He was named Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers in 2002. Kirk was the NAIA National Cross Country Meet Chair – Jury of Appeals Committee from 1999 to 2000 and was on the NAIA National Cross Country Meet Member - Jury of Appeals Committee from 1998 to 1999. In 2004, the seniors at OU gave him the Class of 1966 award. In 2011, he received the Dave Owen Leadership Institute Award from the Ottawa University School of 

Upon completion of the 2016 Spring Track and Field season, Kirk hung up his coaching whistle and began teaching at OU full-time in the Education department.

Kirk volunteers with 4H and Worden United Methodist Church. He has been a camp counselor at Camp Chippewa in Ottawa, KS, and Camp Lakeside in Scott City, KS, and also works with Special Olympics, Habitat for Humanity, COF Training Services, and the Kansas Department of Wildlife. He has spoken to multiple civic organizations including Rotary, Kiwanis, Lions, and Optimists.