Former Hecla and Southwest Minnesota State University women’s basketball standout Michelle (Bruns) Kirk will be inducted into the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Hall of Fame on Tuesday in Minneapolis, MN.
Bruns was one of the most accomplished players in Southwest Minnesota State University women’s basketball history. A four-year letterwinner, Kirk earned first team All-NSIC honors three times and was name the NSIC Player of the Year in 2004-05, leading the league in both scoring and assists. She was also named the North Central Region Co-Player of the Year and was an honorable mention All-American.
Kirk finished her career among the program’s all-time leaders, ranking first in three-pointers (190), leading the nation her sophomore season in three-point shooting percentage, and assists (493), while placing third in scoring with 1,645 points. She also ranked among the top five in field goals and free throws made, helping lead the Mustangs to an NCAA Tournament appearance.
Following her collegiate career, Kirk served as an assistant coach at Eastern Washington University and Adams State College and later as a head women’s basketball coach at Grove City College. She currently works as a sport and performance psychology consultant, supporting athletes, coaches, and military leaders, and serves as an adjunct faculty member at the University of Western States, where she mentors doctoral students.
Former Hecla and Britton-Hecla coach Terry Nelson coached Kirk for three years at Hecla where she was named to the state All-Tourney team for three years, was a first team All-Stater, and was nominated for Miss Basketball in South Dakota.
