The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Elinor Kirk Named to UAB Hall of Fame Class of 2020
11/3/2020 12:00:00 PM | Women's Cross Country, Women's Track & Field
BIRMINGHAM – Elinor Kirk, the first Hall of Fame inductee for the cross country program, has been named to the UAB Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2020. Kirk will also enter in as a member of the track and field program.
Kirk, who joined the Blazers program in the Fall 2012 after obtaining her undergrad degree in her native Wales, made headlines right away. Kirk currently holds three school and Conference USA records.
In her first season with UAB, Kirk was named to the First Team All-Conference USA Cross Country after a sixth-place finish at the C-USA Championships. She then qualified for the NCAA South Regionals finishing in 21st.
During the 2013 track season, Kirk was named Conference USA Track Athlete of the Year after record-setting performance in the indoor championships 3000m with a time of 9:23.36.
Kirk was the first UAB runner to break the 16-minute mark in 5000m run with a time of 15:59.57 at the NCAA East Regional Championships. She was voted to the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association Outdoor All-American Honorable Mention and USTFCCCA All-Academic team.
In her final season with the Blazers, Kirk broke her previous record time in 3000m at the 2014 C-USA Indoor Track and Field Championship with a time of 9:10.40. Her performance during the indoor and outdoor season named Kirk as the C-USA Track Performer of the Year and Athlete of the Year.
During the 2014 NCAA Indoor Championships, Kirk placed third in the 3000m with a time of 9:17.00, the best finish for a Blazer in a track championship. That same meet, she finished 10th in the 5000m finals. Kirk picked up All-American First and Third Team honors for her performances.
At the 2014 NCAA Outdoor Championships, Kirk had the best performance of a Blazer in program history with a runner-up finish in the 10000m with a time of 32:32.99. In the same championship, Kirk had a seventh-place finish in the 5000m with a time of 15:57.96.
Kirk is the second inductee named to the five-member Class of 2020. The remaining Hall of Famers will be released one-by-one throughout the week.
Class of 2020:
Dr. Jim Hilyer – Football
Elinor Kirk – Track and Field/Cross Country
Class of 2018:
Graeme McDowell – Men's Golf
Jacque Nero – Women's Basketball
Gary Sanders – Announcer
Patti Schroder – Volleyball
Class of 2017:
Daniel Gaitan – Men's Soccer
Deanna Jackson – Women's Basketball
Jerome Mincy – Men's Basketball
Mirela Vladulescu Booker – Women's Tennis
Roddy White – Football
Class of 2013:
Vonetta Flowers – Track and Field
Dr. Charles "Scotty" McCallum – UAB President
Steve Mitchell – Men's Basketball
Harry "The Hat" Walker – UAB Baseball Coach
Class of 2009:
Gene Bartow – Head Men's Basketball Coach and Director of Athletics
Dr. S. Richardson Hill – UAB President
Oliver Robinson – Men's Basketball
Wanda Hightower Jordan – Women's Basketball
Dr. Jerry D. Young – UAB Senior Vice President
