Kirk graduated from Sheffield High School in 1972 where he was an outstanding athlete. He was a four sport performer for the Bulldogs, lettering in wrestling, track, baseball and football. A gifted athlete, Kirk excelled in football playing wing-back and defensive end on the 1971 squad. After high school he went on to Auburn University and started every freshman game on a team that Coach Ralph "Shug" Jordan called the best group he had ever had. After graduating from Auburn in 1977 he went to work as Athletic Director for the Sheffield Parks and Recreation Department, impacting the youth of Sheffield for man years. Kirk made this statement which exemplified his career, he said "I've tried to use athletics as a tool to teach young people to handle life's ups and downs with class and character" and he did.