Former Rutgers goaltender Kyle Kirst passed away suddenly on June 16, 2015, at the age of 47. He was part of the Scarlet Knights' 1990 NCAA tournament team.

For the entire Kirst family — his wife, Michelle, and sons Connor, Colin, Cole, C.J. and Caden — it’s understandably still very raw.

“My brothers, mother and I are all very, very close,” said Colin Kirst, a goalie who spent four years at Lehigh before transferring to Rutgers to follow in his father's footsteps for the upcoming season. “Honestly, it’s tough to talk about. We wake up every day knowing and carrying it with us. Within these five years, we knew something good would come, but the scar would never heal.”

The scar still remains, but something good recently came about — the chance for Connor and Colin to suit up together at their father's alma mater.

“The first day of practice this fall, I thought to myself that he would be so pumped and so fired up,” said Connor Kirst, who, like his brother, transferred to Rutgers after four years at another school (Villanova). “Our family is still close with the best friends he played with, and they were so excited, too.”

Playing at Rutgers brings extra meaning for the Kirsts. Connor transferred to Rutgers from Villanova after last spring was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic (and student-athletes were granted an extra year of eligibility). Meanwhile, Colin had been planning a fifth year months prior to the pandemic hitting U.S. soil.

“I had this idea in the summer going into my senior year of potentially taking a fifth year,” Colin Kirst said. “I talked to Coach [Kevin] Cassese and the [Lehigh] coaching staff early in the fall, and they supported me. So I entered the transfer portal late winter and started talking to schools and other coaches about potentially pursuing a fifth year. Rutgers and Coach Brecht were one of the first schools to reach out.”

The pandemic, and the uncertainty surrounding it, led to even more questions, mostly because Colin wasn’t sure how rosters would shake out with the added variable of seniors returning for fifth years (like his brother would end up doing).

“There was so much uncertainty, but Coach Brecht was always there and talking with me throughout,” he said. “I was all in, especially with our family’s background with Rutgers (their mother is also a Rutgers graduate).”

Once Colin committed to Rutgers, it was Connor’s turn to join.

“I had said I was going back to Villanova. At that time, Colin was still looking for a place to go for his fifth year,” Connor Kirst said. “When he decided on Rutgers, that’s when I really started to think about going with him. I ultimately made the decision to switch. It was tough because I loved everyone at Villanova; I had a great experience and wouldn’t trade it in for anything. But Rutgers was an opportunity I felt I would’ve regretted if I passed it up.”

Connor and Colin are now roommates, reunited on the same team for the first time in a number of years. The two went to different New Jersey high schools (Delbarton and Seton Hall Prep, respectively). Ironically, their father was coaching at Summit, another high school in the same league, at the time of his death.

“We would play Delbarton, which would be Connor versus myself, then we would play Summit and I would be playing my dad,” Colin Kirst said. “Then Delbarton would play Summit and Connor would be playing our dad. As much as we all wanted to be on the same team, waking up on a Saturday morning when we were playing each other was awesome. At the breakfast table, we’d be sitting across from each other saying good luck today.

“It’s something a lot of people don’t experience. Those are some special moments, which I believe molded us into being not only great competitors, but also great people, respecting your competitors and respecting the people around you.”

The legacy of Kyle Kirst is one of hard work, competition and fun, all attributes that have rubbed off on his five sons.

“I remember, we were playing Summit one day and Summit did these jumping jacks,” Connor Kirst said. “My dad woke me up and was doing the jumping jacks at like 6:30 in the morning. He said have fun today. Go get it. That’s what it was really all about … having fun with your teammates. Our dad cared deeply about winning, but more so just bonding with those around you.”

Today, Connor and Colin have been bonding with their new teammates at Rutgers. A small silver lining of a worldwide pandemic has been the opportunity for the brothers to reunite at a place that’s extremely special for their entire family.

“Our whole season getting shut down was terrible,” Connor Kirst said. “But this is one of the good things that came of it, playing with Colin at our parents’ alma mater.”

“The last time Connor and I were on the same team was when our dad coached us together on our club team, and our town team,” Colin Kirst said. “It’s definitely extremely special.”

The brothers aren’t just along for the ride. They want to help Rutgers win a Big Ten championship.

“[Rutgers] already had a fantastic team,” said Connor, who tallied 24 points in seven games for Villanova in 2020. “My goal was to come here, hopefully get over the hump and win the Big Ten, and leave a mark on the program.”

Colin, who appeared in 11 career games at Lehigh, is hoping he and his brother can bring perspective and leadership during these new and challenging times for all.

“Connor and I are living with another transfer, Brian Ward from Yale,” Colin Kirst said. “We all have different experiences. We have four years under our belts at different schools. Coming in, one thing we all agreed upon was just working as hard as we could no matter the circumstances.”

Connor and Colin have also worked hard in everything they do for not only their father, but also their mother.

“Our mom has been our rock,” Colin Kirst said. “She’s always been there for us. The scar still isn’t healed, but she’s been unbelievable throughout these times. I don’t know what we’d do without her. I also don’t know where we’d be without our close family and friends. Connor and I are forever grateful for all the family and friends who have helped us through these times.”

There’s no doubt the Kirsts will make their friends and family proud, with their father watching over them, smiling at not only the lacrosse players, but most importantly, the first-class people they’ve become.

“We try to take the life lessons our dad taught us in the time he was with us and carry them out every day — whether it be on the field, off the field, in the classroom or whatever setting it may be,” Colin Kirst said. “Be kind, carry yourself with care and love, and be your best self.”

Anyone who knows the Kirsts can attest that they’re already making their dad (and mom) proud. But now, they get to live out their dreams at a place that’s extremely meaningful.

“I always knew how much our dad cared about playing at Rutgers and coaching at Summit,” Connor Kirst said. “We want to continue the legacy that our dad started.”