She Was a Cheerleader at Ohio State
Kirk Herbstreit’s wife, Alison Herbstreit, has been by his side since their college years at Ohio State University. As a cheerleader, Alison was a member of the Ohio State University cheerleading squad in 1993. Her time as a cheerleader was remembered by sports commentator Chris Fowler during an appearance on The Dan Patrick Show, where he shared a story about how Lee Corso, a sports broadcaster and former coach, wore an Ohio State University mascot’s head on College GameDay, giving a nod to Alison.
She and Kirk Share Four Children
Kirk and Alison are the proud parents of four sons: twins Jake and Tye, Zak, and Chase. Like their father, all of the couple’s children play football. Their sons Jake and Tye initially played for Clemson University, starting as walk-ons for the team. They later addressed their Buckeye loyalty during an interview with TigerNet, with Jake stating that he grew up as an Ohio State fan his entire life. Tye, on the other hand, was “still a Buckeye fan at heart” but “excited to rep some new jerseys” and “really excited to be part of Clemson.”
They Have Lived in Ohio and Tennessee
Kirk and Alison have lived in Ohio and Tennessee due to the sportscaster’s job. They initially lived in Ohio full-time until they moved to Nashville in March 2011. At the time, Kirk told The Columbus Dispatch that he had been mulling over the move to Tennessee for several years due to criticism from Ohio State fans. They made their return to Ohio in 2021, at least temporarily, for Kirk’s youngest son’s schooling.
They Recently Lost One of Their Beloved Dogs
Kirk and Alison not only have four sons but are also dog parents to Peter, Theo, Mitch, and the late Ben. Ben was the most well-known of the bunch, often appearing on TV with Kirk. Kirk was open about Ben’s health issues, sharing on social media in September 2024 that he was diagnosed with leukemia several months earlier. Two months later, Kirk revealed that Ben wasn’t doing well. In an emotional Instagram post, Kirk announced that after a long health battle, Ben had passed away at the age of 10.
Kirk Is “So Grateful” for Alison
While Kirk rarely shares details about his personal life on social media, including moments with his wife, he has posted heartfelt tributes to Alison on Mother’s Day. In May 2021, Kirk shared a photo of Alison posing with their four sons, along with Ben. In the caption, he penned a short but sweet note for the holiday, writing, “Happy Mother’s Day!! Alli with her boys Tye Chase Ben Jake and Zak!” Kirk marked the occasion again in May 2023, sharing a snap of Alison embracing their children. “Happy Mothers Day to Alli and all the Moms! So grateful for all you do!!” he wrote in the caption.
Conclusion
Kirk Herbstreit’s wife, Alison, has been a constant companion throughout his life, from their college days to their present. With four sons and three dogs, the couple’s life is filled with love, laughter, and adventure. As Kirk often expresses his gratitude for Alison, we can see that their bond is strong and unbreakable.
FAQs
Q: How did Alison and Kirk meet?
A: Alison and Kirk met during their college years at Ohio State University.
Q: How many children do they have?
A: Kirk and Alison have four sons: Jake, Tye, Zak, and Chase.
Q: What is Alison’s role in their life?
A: Alison is a homemaker and mother to their four sons.
Q: How did the couple handle criticism from Ohio State fans?
A: Kirk told The Columbus Dispatch that he and Alison looked at several cities before settling on Nashville, citing criticism from Ohio State fans as one reason for the move.