THE QUIRKS: CWU ATHLETICS RUNS IN THE FAMILY

Wayne and Kelley Quirk's loyalties run far and wide. First of all there's the University of Michigan, and a quick glance inside their home leaves no doubt of their U-M loyalties. Aft er all, how many homes in the Northwest are themed in maize and blue with Big M signs?

Then there's Washington State University, where Wayne attended graduate school, and there's Iowa State University, where Kelley played volleyball. The Quirks are fans of all of these schools and more—when they're not Wildcats.

"It's hard not to be a fan of Central," Kelley said. "The teams have been successful and it's fun to go to the games and wear the colors, and we've met a lot of really nice people. There's a great connection with this place." It also helps that the Quirks have a son on the football team, a daughter coaching the volleyball team, and Wayne himself serving as the university's provost.

The Quirks moved to Ellensburg in August of 2003, when Wayne accepted the position as associate vice president for graduate studies. Kelley joined him in the move, along with their two youngest daughters, Kaitlin and Carly, who will enter the ninth grade this year. Their eldest son, Anthony, was entrenched in his high school in Minnesota and given the option to stay in the Midwest or move to Washington.

"I could have lived with my high school coach and best friend back in Minnesota," Anthony recalled. "I heard the high school team in Ellensburg was going to be pretty good, so I came out that summer and went to football camp with EHS at Coach John Zamberlin's CWU camp. I liked the camp and decided to stay here. I just didn't want to be that far away (from my family)."

Anthony excelled in his career at Ellensburg, playing football, basketball, and baseball. Collegiate coaches took note of his athleticism and Anthony received offers from several programs and also a promising baseball career. He chose, once again, to stay close to his family and to play football at Central. He has started in 36 of Central's last 36 games and has become a key part of an offensive line that has been vital to Central's offensive successes the last few years and particularly to Mike Reilly's record-breaking season in 2008.

The Quirks' eldest daughter, Chloe, was playing volleyball at North Dakota State University when the family moved. She stayed at NDSU to complete her collegiate career and also went on to play professional volleyball in Europe. Having two children play collegiate sports was very exciting for Wayne and Kelley, but it forced them to separate over several weekends.

"There were times when Wayne and I would go to the Seattle airport and he'd go one way [to watch Anthony or Chloe] and I'd go another. Then at the end of the weekend we'd meet back up in Seattle and come home," Kelley said.

The Quirks no longer have to part ways during the weekends, as CWU volleyball coach Mario Andaya hired Chloe as his assistant coach in June of 2008. The whole family was back together, with half of the family either working for or studying and playing sports at Central.

"I'm here to cheer on my younger siblings," Chloe asserted. "I love my job, but I really came here to support Anthony, Kaitlin, and Carly." More than just cheering, Chloe often gives advice and tips to Carly and coaches Kaitlin's junior Olympic traveling team, which went to the USAV Nationals in Miami this past summer. "We've won or placed second in most of the tournaments around here [Washington]," Kaitlin said, who's entering her junior year at EHS. "So it was fun to go to Miami and compete with other teams around the country."

For Wayne and Kelley to have all of their children in Ellensburg and engaged in the sports they enjoy is a dream come true. "There was a time when Anthony and Chloe were on the same basketball team, believe it or not. And it's been fun having everyone back together and watching them get an education and play sports. Basically, doing what we did," Kelley said.

"I'm glad to see all of the other lessons the kids have learned through sports," Wayne added. "Teamwork, dedication and loyalty—those are great lessons and they've embraced it all. Kaitlin and Carly have been getting up early all summer and going to workouts at the high school. That shows dedication and a willingness to work."

And who knows, that may someday lead to even more years of Quirks att ending Central and playing sports in Wildcat uniforms.