Fairport Red Raiders

Joe Kirsch has been a Social Studies teacher at Fairport High School since 2001. He began his rugby career at Buffalo State College in 1997. He played Number Eight and captained the team for three years including 1999 when Buffalo State won the New York State Championship. Kirsch was named 1999 New York State Collegiate Playoffs Most Valuable Player. In 1998 and 1999 Kirsch represented the Western Region in the Empire State Games Sevens Rugby Tournament as a prop in which the Western Region earned gold and silver medals respectively. Coach Kirsch played for the New York State All-stars in 1999 and 2000. Kirsch continued his rugby career with the Buffalo Old Boys RFC. With Buffalo, Kirsch played Number Eight, Open-side flanker, and Inside Center. In 2001 Buffalo won the Mid West Playoffs and advanced to nationals. Kirsch was named Man-of-the-match in Buffalo’s victory over Michigan. Coach Kirsch has competed in various prestigious tournaments such as the Saranac Lake Can-Am Tournament, the Savannah St. Patrick’s Day Tournament, Cleveland’s Rock and Roll Sevens, and the Toronto Seven’s Invitational. In 2003 Kirsch began his Rugby coaching career as founder and head coach of the Fairport Boys Rugby Football Club. In their inaugural year the team reached the Northeast Playoffs and continue to improve. Coach Kirsch also coached the University of Rochester Rugby team and won the New York State Rugby Conference Western Division. Coach Kirsch holds a New York State Coaching Certificate, USA Rugby Coaching Certificate, and is trained in Red Cross CPR and first aid.