About Ken

The Ken Hubbs Foundation honors the memory and exemplary life of Kenneth Douglass Hubbs. Ken was born December 23, 1941 and died tragically on January 13, 1964, at the age of 22.

Ken was a 1959 graduate of Colton High School (California). A four sport letterman, (Football, Basketball, Baseball, Track), Ken earned All-American honors in two sports (Basketball & Football) in the same school year. Voted Colton High’s 1958-1959 Associated Student Body President. Ken maintained an ‘A’ GPA , demonstrating leadership on and off the field of sports.

Ken signed a professional baseball contract with the Chicago Cubs, and in 1962 was voted National League “Rookie of the Year”. Additionally, he won a “Golden Glove” award by setting two major league fielding records for a second baseman: 78 games and 418 chances without an error. This was the first Gold Glove by a Rookie!

Ken was an exceptional athlete, but more importantly, an example for American youth. He was an honorable young man, wise beyond his years, showing the character traits that make men great: loyalty, faithfulness, kindness, honor and tremendous citizenship. On the day he was to set fielding records, he visited a hospital for handicapped children. When asked by reporters why he wasn’t resting up for the big game, he replied, “If I make an error today, it won’t be because I was nice to somebody!” After the Cub’s home day gmaes, Ken would return to his suburban Chicago apartment and hit the street to play ball with the kids – he loved “the kids”.

The Ken Hubbs Foundation has, since 1964, annually honored outstanding senior athletes from local high schools – from 4 schools in 1964 to 21 schools in 2012.

The FOundation selects each of the 21 Ken Hubbs School Award Winners based not only on athletic achievement, but also on citizenship, community involvement and service, student government and commitment to further their education.