Louisville Mourns the Loss of Former Rowing Student-Athlete Kira (Lawson) DeBoer

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The University of Louisville is mourning the loss of former rowing student-athlete Kira (Lawson) DeBoer who passed away on November 16, 2023 after a short battle with cancer.

DeBoer was a member of the Cardinals' rowing team from 2007 through 2011. During her time at Louisville, she was an exemplary student-athlete who helped the Cardinals' second varsity eight to a runner-up finish in the 2011 BIG EAST Championship. She also helped Louisville to three NCAA regional appearances in 2008, 2009 and 2010. As a freshman, she rowed in the second varsity four boat which finished second in the "C" final at the 2008 NCAA Regional and as a sophomore, helped the 2V8 boat to a sixth-place finish in the petite final at the 2009 NCAA Regional.

DeBoer came to Louisville from London, Ontario, Canada where she began her rowing career and honed her skills while competing for the London Rowing Club, St. Thomas Aquinas High School and Saunders High School. She was part of the London Rowing Club's Crew of the Year in 2006 as a member of the Junior Women's Quad and won a gold medal in Junior Women's Quad at 2006 RowOntario Championships. The multi-sport athlete also lettered in track and cross country.

She was also impressive in the classroom at UofL, earning Dean's List honors in each of her seasons and BIG EAST All-Academic Team honors while majoring in psychology. After receiving her bachelor's degree in 2011, she fulfilled her post-college ambition to travel the world.

Her adventurous spirit led her to spend some time working as a Canadian Wilderness firefighter after college. She went on to work as a licensed massage therapist and was months away from completing her degree to become a doctor of osteopathic medicine when, in the late stages of cancer, she completed her exams and was presented with an honorary degree.

In 2022, Kira earned her greatest accomplishment and favorite title of 'mom,' when she and her husband, Jesse, welcomed their son, Callen.

She will be remembered by her friends, teammates and coaches for her engaging smile and penchant for living life to its fullest.

Former UofL rowing head coach Laura Fogt Aubrey, who coached Kira during her time at Louisville reflects on the impact she had as a student-athlete and teammate.

"Even though it has been close to 13 years since I last coached Kira, I will never forget her infectious energy and the way her big smile could light up a room. She had a way about her that exuded unrelenting grit and determination while simultaneously saying 'I've got your back - whatever you need- I'm your girl.'

But her smile, that is what I remember the most. I can picture it so vividly in my mind. So big. So genuine. These last few weeks have been incredibly hard for the Louisville Rowing family; this kind of unexpected loss, to one of our own, is hard to put into words. Through this loss, it has been incredible to witness the true power and strength of what it means to be a part of a team- something bigger than yourself -even after many, many years of "not" being together.

It was especially beautiful to witness how the Louisville family came together immediately, reaching out, supporting and doing whatever they could to provide comfort and love to Kira's family. I have seen ladies from all over the world doing everything they could to wrap their arms around Kira and her family during this unfathomable time. Kira, while your time in this world was way too short, I feel blessed to have shared four special years with you and I am honored to have been a part of your journey. In memory of Kira, may we all be reminded about the power of a smile and the lasting impression that we are blessed to carry with us, forever and always."

Current UofL rowing head coach Derek Copeland, who served as an assistant coach in the 2010-11 season, remembers the impression Kira made on him and how she will be forever memorialized within the program.

"I was only able to spend a short time with Kira here at Louisville. She was awesome! I feel like Kira was part of a trend that began to better utilize the weight room for rowing performance. She left such an impression on us in this area, that we plan to dedicate part of our boat bays in Kira's memory. This 'Kira's Corner' will be outfitted with some of the best equipment for our athletes to use for team circuits and individual lifts here at the boathouse. We have just the spot picked out and look forward to unveiling it in the early fall. I am confident that this space will honor Kira's memory."

A GoFundMe has been set up in her honor and in support of her husband, Jesse, and son Callen.

University of Louisville Athletics

Louisville Mourns the Loss of Former Rowing Student-Athlete Kira (Lawson) DeBoer

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