Ken Kuhn

Defensive Tackle / Linebacker Fullback / Kicker1969-1971

High School Honors:9-time Varsity Letterman in Football, Basketball and Track

1971 Stark County MVP

1st Team All Ohio

Captain of the North/South All Star Game

1st Team 1971

Scholastic Magazine National All American

Team All Federal League 1st Team 1970 and 1971

Jersey #43 retired for 4 years

College Honors:4 Year Letter Winner at The Ohio State University

Scholastic All Big Ten Linebacker 1974 and 1975

Co-Captain in 1975

Played in 4 consecutive Rose Bowls

4 Big Ten Championships

4 years studying education and psychology

Professional: 7th Round Draft Pick of the Cincinnati Bengal Knee and shoulder injuries ended career in 1977

Coaching Ken has coached in the Southwest Licking youth baseball and football programs. Most proud of being the commissioner of the SWLY Football Association and spearheading, along with some other great parents, the development of a youth program of mini's 1-2 grade juniors 3-4 grade and seniors 5-6th grades. The league today consists of numerous other grade schools and is a traveling league. We have our own field, scoreboard, goal posts, concession stand, press box and last year, 2002, lights were added. I am very proud to have been part of this endeavor. Also helped lobby the school district to add a 7th grade team at the middle school where there was none for over 30 years. My days as a Little Leopard and the great coaches I learned from, Fred McNamara, Nub Mckimm to name a few, were my inspiration to lead in the development of the youth football program. My boys were part of the program and we are seeing the benefits at the high school level today.

Personal: Born August 19th, 1954

Married wife Susan on November 11th, 1983

Two sons-Nathaniel Wayne and Jacob Ross

Currently resides in Pataskala, Ohio.

Ken is an account executive in the transportation industry with over 20 years of sales and marketing experience Ken’s first memories of Louisville football begin with the punt, pass and kick competition sponsored by Tom Edwards Ford in Louisville. A little farther down the road are Ken's memories of the Little Leopards program. In particular, the Colts.” Back then we played 6th, 7th and 8th graders together. If you started as a 6th grader you were either real good or real big. I was one or the other.” Growing up as a Leopards fan, just like most other young boys, Ken had a few Leopard greats whom he idolized” Billy Givens, Bob Bardash, Dale Minor, Bobby Gladieux, Mark Stier, Tom and Mike Chlebeck, my brother Dick Kuhn, who in my opinion was one of the greatest all around athletes to come out of Louisville, Hap Lillick and Paul Starkey. Especially Bobby and older brother Richard. Those two guys were my heroes say Ken.

Could family have played a part in Ken's success? It certainly appears that way.” I am the youngest of four. A psychologist or psychiatrist could tell you many things about being the youngest. Sister Patricia, the oldest was head majorette in band, Constitution Queen, and runner up in finals of Miss Ohio. She also married high school sweetheart Mark Stier who was MVP of the 1969 Rose Bowl. Brother Richard was a great linebacker and wingback, forward in basketball, and a great pitcher, almost drafted into the major leagues. I believe he had 10 varsity letters, including four in baseball. He and Mark and Bobby and Tom and Mike were part of that great Louisville 38 game winning streak. Dick was also a three year letterman at The Ohio State University and part of the SUPER SOPHS 1968 and 1970 National Championship team. Brother-in -law, Mark Stier was also on the 1968 championship team. Sister Jeannie was head cheerleader and on the very successful Lady Leopard track team. So I guess you could say that there was a little bit of pressure for me to be somewhat successful” I’d say family played a major role in Ken's overwhelming success over the years. Every player has their favorite moment.”

For Ken it was his final game as a senior. A 25-0 thrashing of Minerva Capping off an undefeated regular season and claiming the Federal League Championship. In what looked like a scene from a movie, Ken was carried off the field in celebration. As a fan, some of Ken's fondest memories come from watching Bob Gladieux, Mark Stier and brother Richard winning 38 games straight and hoping to be in the same league as these guys some day. Of course there are the heartbreaking moments as well. On a rainy and soggy night of Ken's junior year, the Leopards lost a game in week 8 to Glenwood by a score of 9-0.Ken takes responsibility for 2 or 3 fumbles that he could not hold on to” I was so muddy I could not hold on to the ball when John Doerschuk handed it off to me.” Ken and his teammates would get retribution the following season. They went on to spank Glenwood by a score of 36-6. Revenge sure is sweet. One of Ken's heartbreaking moments as a fan came as recently as the 2000 season. “I drove from Columbus to see Doug Shook's son play his last game as a Leopard. Doug and I grew up together and played many great games together. However the Lions were too strong that night and the Leps lost. I felt real bad for Doug and his son.” How about playing for a legend named Paul Starkey?” Paul Starkey was a relatively quiet man. A mathematician, a thinker, a coaching genius, that I think learned alot from Hap Lillick and inherited and became the developer of some of the greatest talent to ever step on a Leopard football field. It was an honor to play for him and I feel he should already be in the Stark County Hall of Fame.” Sixty minutes before kickoff. What is going through your head as you prepare for battle?” In high school on Fridays there was electricity in Louisville that is hard to describe to people who haven't experienced it. Even as I think about it today I get goose bumps. I am sure it is the same in Massillon, at McKinley, at Lakewood St. Ed, Cincinnati Moeller and any other school that has such a winning and competitive spirit. The only thing that has come close to it in my life is the night before the Michigan game. I can still remember pregame meals at the high school. Walking from the school down the road to the field where I saw many a great athlete participate and win and to realize that I was going to be part of that great winning spirit and tradition was almost too much to fathom” As the clock read 0:00 after the week 10 thrashing of Minerva 25-0, what goes through someone’s mind knowing that this was your last high school football game and what was it like walking off of the field?” I didn't get to walk, I was carried off the field and it was the greatest feeling in the world. A rewarding end to a great season with some great guys.

Too bad there were no playoffs that year. We were so strong and believed in ourselves so much. I believe we could have beaten any team in Ohio of equal size. Heck, I think we could have held our own with Massillon and McKinley that year” What was the greatest game you ever played in? That would have to be the Glenwood game 1971”After losing the year before and having the fumbles. Also the night before the game my father Carl and I almost caught a group of kids from Glenwood who came to my house and Dave Mazzan's house and did some vandalizing with paint and paraffin on our house. I remember our team walking onto the field. and seeing some signs in the stands about being losers and farmers. When we came out for warm-ups I can still feel the adrenaline. We stood there and as a group just clapped and screamed at each other. It was like going into battle and battle we did. We kicked butt” If you could go back in time and witness any Louisville game over the years, what game would you choose?” I wish I could take my sons back in time to see Bobby, Uncle Mark, Uncle Dick play in any game and to have them see me play in the Glenwood and Minerva games our senior year would be phenomenal! What team would you like to see Louisville play more than any other? Has to be Massillon or McKinley” Any time over the years when Louisville had some of its better teams, I know in my heart we could have beaten Massillon or McKinley!!!!

Word Association: Louisville Football-some of the greatest memories and friendships with the greatest guys. Craig Crislip, Gary Dourm, Donnie Unkefer, Rick Wilson, John Doerschuk, Doug Shook, Dave Mazzan, Tim Wallace, John Simon, Craig Ohman, Gary Dickerhoof, to name a few.

The best memories growing up with these very special people I've carried with me for 40 years and will carry to my grave. Stark county football-Great tradition and unbelievable talent. Paul Starkey-Legendary teacher, coach and friend. Bob Gladieux-THE, without a doubt, GREATEST SINGLE PLAYER to step on a field or floor as a LOUISVILLE LEOPARD. Truly a legend to me and anyone that saw him play!!!Ken Kuhn a very fortunate man that has been blessed by GOD in so many ways that he sometimes feels guilty to have so many friends, family, and wonderful memories of success and happiness and hopes to be remembered as a competitor, with the will to give his best in every aspect of his life and to his family!!!!500 Wins-The result of many boys working to become men on a team, prepared to meet life head on as winners.

Tradition-Little Leopards, Louisville Leopards, Ohio State Buckeyes, Church on Sunday, The Lords Prayer, The Pledge of Allegiance, Old Glory, The National Anthem, The American Eagle,Semper Fi.A few words from Ken himself...”Over the course of my career I have experienced some disappointments and used to carry deep hurt and resentment. I have come to a very good place in life where I have a wonderful relationship with my Higher Power, The Lord God and His son, Jesus Christ. I try to live my life by remembering the following......Yesterday is a cancelled check....Tomorrow is a promissory note...Today is all the cash we have....SO SPEND IT WISELY!!!!!”