Ken began his athletic training career in 1973 as a freshman at Field Kindley High School, Coffeyville, KS, working with the football and basketball teams. He then served 2 years as a student athletic trainer for Coffeyville Community College before moving to Central Missouri State where he served as a student athletic trainer for 3 years and one year as graduate assistant athletic trainer. Ken came to Southern Arkansas University in January of 1989 after 6 ½ years as Head Athletic Trainer/Biology instructor at Bartlesville High School, Bartlesville, OK. He received his BSE in Physical Education/Biology (“81”) and his MS in Athletic Training (“82”) from Central Missouri State University. Over the past 31 years, Ken has worked 489 consecutive football games.
At SAU, Ken began with 5 student athletic trainers in an internship program. The program now consists of a full time staff of 3, 2 graduate assistants and 19 students. SAU now offers a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Athletic Training.
Ken served as Vice-President of the AATA in the spring of 1991, then serving as President for two years, 1993 and 1994. He has served on numerous committees including: District 6, College and University Athletic Trainers Committee; AATA Scholarship Committee; AATA Honors and Awards Committee. As a member of the NATA, he received the 25-year award in June of 2003. During his tenure as president of AATA, legislation was introduced in the Arkansas Legislature for licensing of Athletic Trainers.
Ken had an article published in “The Physician and Sports Medicine” in August 1995 entitled, Building Better Emergency Connections. Over the years he has made presentations to numerous local and state groups and organizations. Ken has been involved in several Athletic Training Student summer camps at the University of Oklahoma (1984-1989), as well as several in Arkansas (1990-1996). He served as camp director for several years at Southern Arkansas University, Henderson State University and the University of Central Arkansas. He is active in his community with the Boys and Girls Club and serves as an elder at First Presbyterian Church. He is the SAU facility advisor for Phi Lambda Chi fraternity. He is an avid deer hunter and enjoys a “hacker’s” game of golf. Ken believes that his professional success is largely due to the love, support, understanding and persistence of his wife of 27 years, Kathy, and his kids Megan and Andrew.