Remembering Kirk Mullings
Kirk Mullings Facebook Picture
Several of Kirk Mullings '05 former teammates have contacted me to tell me that this very young alumnus has passed away.
I don't have the details on the cause of death, but I remember Mullings well as a plugger of a player and a great student who gave his all to Columbia.
Kirk came to Columbia from Mount Vernon High School in Westchester County, New York where he was a star tight end. But he did not come to Morningside Heights to play football... at first.
He walked on to the team his sophomore year in 2002, encouraged by a number of existing team members who knew him. 2002 turned out to be Head Coach Ray Tellier's last season. When Coach Bob Shoop took over the next year, he converted Mullings to defensive tackle and he immediately became a key backup.
The 2003 season featured one of the best Lion teams of the last 20 years and Mullings made an impact with three tackles for a loss. He went down in week seven against Yale with a broken leg, but worked hard to come back for the 2004 season.
In that senior year, he had 27 total tackles including a sack.
Mullings was a History major Dean's List student and also a member of the parliamentary debate team. In the summers he worked as a resident advisor for the Columbia summer school program for high school students.
Kirk Mullings was just 27 years old.
I know all of our readers send their condolences to his family and friends.
posted by Jake @ 3:59:00 AM
16 comments
16 Comments:
This news is indeed tragic. I first met Kirk at one of the annual football dinners prior to homecoming. Last year, I helped him to gain employment in a Westchester County School system hoping that he might consider education as a profession. Instead, Kirk had thoughts of going to a music school to study saxophone.
Kirk was a very gentle person who loved Columbia football. He truly enjoyed his role on the teams on which he played. He was very, very bright and often spoke of the American History courses he took at Columbia. This is a very sad day for anyone who knew this interesting young man.
Kirk was my teammate and I loved him. He was the nicest guy in the world. His smile is what I'll always remember about him. It was permanently on his face...
Kirk was a gentle, witty, and extremely intelligent being. Some people in college may have misunderstood his witty nature at times (including me), but through my memorable conversations with him over the last few weeks, I was able to clearly see a side of Kirk that I had never witnessed even after knowing him for several years. I am deeply thankful that Kirk gave me the opportunity to see what a thoughtful young man he truly was, and how much he loved his family and Columbia. As the poster above mentioned, his smile will be sorely missed by all who knew him.
Kirk had an infectious smile. He never ceased to make me laugh, even when I tried my hardest not to. He will be missed by many and forgotten by no one.
This news is so sad, anyone who knew kirk would say he was just so full of life. How did this happen? Does anyone know how he died?
elementary school with Kirk in Mt. Vernon. He was a unique individual and quite a character. I am sad to hear of his passing and my prayers go out to him, his family, and friends
Kirk was definitely a great presence on campus. Got to know him over the years as an ever-friendly, always amusing guy. Don't think I ever saw him without a smile on his face. This is a real tragedy.
My deep and sincere condolences to his family and close friends.
Kirk was not someone I knew well, but whose spirit is impossible to forget. He was indeed quite a character -- he could always put a smile on your face or make you laugh. Sincere condolences to his family and friends. He will be sorely missed. May he rest in peace.
this is so sad, kirk was one of the funniest, most compassionate people i knew....i'll miss our long talks...does anyone know how it happened?
kirk will be much missed....does anyone know how it happened?
I knew kirk since childhood i last saw him in 2008 and its so sad that he is gone. I will never forget his infectous smile and will be attending his funeral on Sunday. Condolences to his family
Dear friends:
I am sure that you are just as shocked and deeply saddened by the passing of our dear friend Kirk. I had just talked to him last week, and I genuinely cannot believe that he is gone. I am shocked and saddened beyond belief.
I have spoken with Kirk’s family, and I just wanted to inform you that Kirk’s funeral will be held this Sunday, March 8th at 3pm in Mt. Vernon, NY:
Lee O Wood Funeral Home
23 East 2nd Street
Mount Vernon, NY 10550
914-699-1199
A group of people will be meeting at 1:15 PM on Sunday in the middle of Grand Central Station (by the island) to take the 1:37 PM Metro North train to Mount Vernon East (Direction: New Haven) to attend the service.
Also, after talking with Kirk's family, close friends of his have organized a collection to help Kirk’s family cover the unexpected and exorbitant funeral costs. If you would like to contribute, please contact me at erinchristen@gmail.com, and I will pass along his mailing address.
Kirk was very much loved and will be dearly missed.
Kirk was a great guy and will be missed.
Kirk was in my year at Columbia. I was shocked to read about his passing in the Class Notes. What happened?
I don't understand why someone isn't saying how it happened. This bothers me, as this is not authentic...
and not Kirk's style to go out without a sound.
It would bring more peace to my head knowing what happened. I am deeply saddened.
Kirk's amazing presence permeated campus upon my arrival. Maybe I had an eye for him, or something... I left our class in 2003, and Kirk, alone, called me more than all the rest of my friends from school combined since my departure. For my '09 b.earthday, he wrote: "Happy retarded, undeveloped birthday." on my Facebook page and to this day it makes me laugh. I know that's just Facebook, but Kirk truly kept in touch...and I can't believe I am just finding this news today. roar on...for kirk...for always...(I think I have to go read Clive Barker's 'The Thief of Always' because I guess I counted on it that we checked in annually... :`( sorry for going on like a ninny to anyone who reads this, but I am shocked and I really cared about Kirk as a person and still care about him in spirit. Peace, plh
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