By Kristal Fehring

Steve Kintigh passed away suddenly on the evening of February 20, 2014 at the age of 59.

Since joining NIRSA in 1975, Steve was an active member whose passion and dedication to serving his profession and community touched countless lives.

In addition to serving on numerous NIRSA committees, Steve was assigned to two NIRSA Presidential Task forces, received the NIRSA Service Award, and was presented with the NIRSA Region IV Award of Merit.

In 1984, Steve became the very first director of recreational sports at Texas Christian University, a position he held for 30 years, until his untimely passing. His dedication to his TCU family was profound. From opening a 216,000 square foot, $30 million recreation center in 2003, to receiving multiple service awards from the university, it is clear that, in measures both large and small, Steve continually strove to make the Rec Sports Department the best it could be.

Steve Kintigh, Director at Texas Christian University and long-time NIRSA member.

“Our thriving recreation, intramural sport and club sport programs were conceived and championed by him, and our remarkable campus recreation center was constructed under his leadership,” says Kathy Cavins-Tull, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs. “He was a good colleague and friend to many as well as a mentor to hundreds of student staff members over his 30 years.”

Steve was heavily involved at the state and regional level, including being one of the founders of the modern ORSA (Ohio Recreational Sports Association) in 1984-85. He had the much deserved distinction of being ORSA’s first Honor Award recipient in 1990. He hosted the first NIRSA Mid-east Regional Conference and the first NIRSA Region IV Conference.

Steve lived his life as an example of our NIRSA values in action. He embodied what is great about our association in his dedication to inspiring health and wellbeing in his own community, and his dedication to helping his colleagues do so in theirs. He published numerous articles and made well over twenty regional and national presentations. At the 2013 NIRSA Annual Conference & Recreational Sports Exposition, Steve was recognized for his considerable contributions to the profession; as part of NIRSA’s celebrations for a Centennial of Collegiate Recreation, he was honored as a Legacy, an honor reserved for those individuals whose contributions to the field of collegiate recreation have been integral to our profession’s legacy.

Unsurprisingly, there are many “firsts” in Steve’s long list of accomplishments. He was not only a great visionary for the way collegiate recreation could impact the lives of his students and community members, but also a man of action, capable of turning ideas into realities. Some of the highlights of his accomplishments include:

  • The first host of the Indiana State Recreational Sports Workshop
  • The first president of the Ohio Recreational Sports Association
  • The first president of “Kids Who Care,” a nonprofit children’s organization in Ft. Worth
  • The first recipient of the Ohio Recreational Sports Honor Award
  • The first recipient of the TCU Chancellor’s Award for University Programming
  • 2003 John R. Endwright Alumni Service Award from Indiana University

Even in his passing, Steve continues to give. He was an organ donor—and his gift of life will help 50-75 others, says his wife, Monica. “He would want us to laugh and celebrate his life,” she says.

A celebration of Steve’s life will be held Thursday, February 27 at 11:00am at Arlington Heights United Methodist Church (4200 Camp Bowie Blvd). Information about a memorial fund will be shared with the NIRSA Community if and as it becomes available.