Kenneth B. Hawkins, better known as “Sadie” among his closest friends and colleges, came to Union University in 1951 on a basketball scholarship. He was a three-year starter and served as captain of the team in 1954. He was an ATO All-American and made the All-Conference teams his sophomore and junior years.
As a valuable member of Union’s baseball team, “Sadie” set the record for hits in a double-header baseball game: 5 for 5 in game one and 5 for 5 in game two. He was named to the All-Conference Baseball Team his junior and senior year.
As a Union freshman, Mr. Hawkins received a primary appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy by Congressman Tom Murray, which he declined in order to remain a student at his beloved Union. After completing his degree at Union in 1954, Mr. Hawkins was set to sign on with the Chicago Cubs farm team but was drafted into the U.S. Army. He received a Masters Degree from Memphis State University (now University of Memphis) and completed other post graduate work as well. He began his teaching career in 1957 at Selmer High School where he was also a very successful head football coach. He later coached basketball in Ripley, Tennessee, where he led his teams to three district championships, regional championships, and two state tournaments.
Mr. Hawkins started the first Little League Baseball Team in McNairy in 1957 and began American Legion Baseball in 1981. He served as State-wide Liaison for Principals and Administrators from 1967-1977 for the Tennessee State Board of Education.
Serving Union University as a Trustee from 1985-1988 was a highlight for Mr. Hawkins. He has been a member of First Baptist Church, Selmer since 1977, where he has served as a deacon for 32 years and a trustee for 15 years, in addition to many other leadership positions. After First Baptist Church Selmer burned, Mr. Hawkins was named Chairman of the Committee to rebuild the church.
Coach Hawkins married Inez Kirk in 1958.
