The beloved Kirk Vasquez who proudly wore #8, was the heart of the Westmont baseball team. His leadership and dedication truly made him an inspiration to fellow teammates and coaches. Though his life was tragically cut short in 2019, his impact is still visible today, as it shapes the attitudes of players who strive to uphold the same values that defined him. Those who knew him agree that Kirk never stopped pushing himself, always asking what he could do to improve. More than just an exceptional athlete, he was a lighthearted teammate who led with kindness, respect, and unmatched commitment to the game.
Shortly after his passing, the KV8 Memorial Foundation was created to honor his legacy and support other young athletes. They award grants to people and organizations that embody his passion for baseball. At Westmont, his memory lives on through another powerful tradition. Each year, one senior is chosen to wear the jersey with a #8, the one that Kirk wore during his last season. The jersey recipient is a player who is selfless, hardworking, and a dedicated team player. This season, that honor belongs to Vince Moreno, a player who carries forward everything that made Kirk so special.
Vince has played baseball for 13 years now, having started at the age of 5 at Quito little league. He played varsity last year and is now a team captain this season. Vince primarily plays left field, pitches, and leads the team with an encouraging attitude. His teammate Tyler Meedon describes Vince as, “an amazing person to be around.” Additionally, this fall he will be attending Biola University in Los Angeles to study mechanical engineering and would also love to play baseball. Vince notes that he tries to honor Kirk’s legacy by, “being the best leader [he] can be, with passion, grit, and a burning love for playing baseball.” He is undoubtedly a perfect representation of Kirk’s legacy, wearing #8 with pride!
You can learn more about the KV8 Memorial Foundation at the Website below or follow them on instagram! @kv8_memorial_fdtn https://kv8memorialfoundation.org
Previous #8 jersey recipients:
2020 – Armis Morris
2021 – Reid Ross
2022 – Ryland Wulff
2023 – Kimo Raub
2024 – Matthew Rienhardt
Pictured above – Vince standing next to Kirk’s Father in front of the KV8 memorial plaque hanging in the outfield of the Westmont baseball field.