Wisconsin Hockey Wall of Fame

Steve Kirley

 

Steve Kirley played high school hockey at Madison West and at the University of Wisconsin under coach Bob Johnson. He taught English in the Hayward School district and coached varsity hockey for thirty years. His teams had an impressive 361-276-16 win-loss record.

Kirley worked on several committees to raise funds for the Hayward youth hockey program, and he volunteered to run fall hockey clinics and youth hockey coaches’ clinics. In addition, Steve has coached youth hockey teams during the time he was also the head high school hockey coach. Steve was actively involved with the Sports Center Board plans that were adopted to add a second rink in Hayward.

For over 20 years, Steve has instructed at Wisconsin Amateur Hockey Coaches Clinics at the Advanced to Beginner Levels. He has coached at USA Hockey National Development Camps. Steve has also coached at the International Level being selected by the North American Select Program to coach a Midget team in Czechoslovakia where his team competed at the elite level. For over 20 years, Steve either coached or managed the Sectional High School All-Star Team. During that time he was selected to coach Team Wisconsin at the Chicago Showcase. He has organized tryouts, practices, exhibition games, and has created opportunities for high school players to play junior, college hockey, and professional hockey.

Steve has displayed leadership skills by organizing and facilitating the sectional seeding meeting for high school coaches. Steve is a past president of the Wisconsin High School Hockey Coaches Association. Steve’s experience, expertise and personal qualities qualify him as an elite professional who continues to dedicate himself to the game of hockey and the youth of Hayward and Wisconsin.