Anne E. Irwin

Anne E. Irwin of Fennville, Michigan, died on Saturday, April 3. She was 79. She was a professor emerita of kinesiology at Hope, having joined the faculty in 1976 and retiring in 2003, and was the college’s first director of women’s athletics. During her time at Hope, the women’s teams grew to 10 — and its participants more than three-fold — at the time of her retirement in 2003. While she administrated, she coached, too — as head coach of women’s basketball (1976-79), softball (1977-87), and field hockey (1979-80) and as assistant coach of women’s soccer and volleyball. Survivors include her partner of 31 years, Kay Zuris; brother, Dr. Charles F. Irwin, and sister, Emily Jean Irwin. For more about her impact on Hope athletics and career, including a photo gallery, please visit: hope.edu/anne-irwin.