As an Inland Empire native who played sports, I'll speak for everyone growing up there that Ken Hubbs was a virtual deity to every boy who played sports in the IE. The Ken Hubbs Award you mentioned is given to the top male (and now female as well) athlete in San Bernardino County.
The list of winners is impressive: Along with Jayden Daniels, Shelton Diggs won the first one in 1973, Ronnie Lott won it in 1977, Former NY Giants and KC Chiefs defensive back Mark Collins won it in 1982, Greg Colbrunn in 1987 and Alex Mattison in 2016. It's a big deal.
That aside, this column is a big deal, because of the artful way you weaved in what kind of person Hubbs was and what he meant beyond the diamond. Tying that into Johnny Hockey and his brother, Matt, made for a wonderful read, Mark. This IE native thanks you.
Sad, and. yet uplifting to read. What an antidote to the stuff in one's news feed, and what a remiinder of what a great columnist brings to the table: knowledge, research, context, and empathy near the top of the list.
Thanks for writing this piece and resurrecting an example for all. I'm old enough to recall Ken Hubbs. I also remember that a youth-targeted magazine I received from my church carried a piece back then about the spiritual example of Ken Hubbs. And I was Southern Baptist. He transcended. I didn't recall how he died, but I knew he had. And I'm glad the award lives on.
I vaguely remember Ken Hubbs, and that is a shame from what I now know of him from this article. At least he will be in my memory bank in the future . Thanks
As an Inland Empire native who played sports, I'll speak for everyone growing up there that Ken Hubbs was a virtual deity to every boy who played sports in the IE. The Ken Hubbs Award you mentioned is given to the top male (and now female as well) athlete in San Bernardino County.
The list of winners is impressive: Along with Jayden Daniels, Shelton Diggs won the first one in 1973, Ronnie Lott won it in 1977, Former NY Giants and KC Chiefs defensive back Mark Collins won it in 1982, Greg Colbrunn in 1987 and Alex Mattison in 2016. It's a big deal.
That aside, this column is a big deal, because of the artful way you weaved in what kind of person Hubbs was and what he meant beyond the diamond. Tying that into Johnny Hockey and his brother, Matt, made for a wonderful read, Mark. This IE native thanks you.
Sad, and. yet uplifting to read. What an antidote to the stuff in one's news feed, and what a remiinder of what a great columnist brings to the table: knowledge, research, context, and empathy near the top of the list.
Terrific column, Mark. One of many by you that I've had the pleasant of reading over the years.
Thanks for writing this piece and resurrecting an example for all. I'm old enough to recall Ken Hubbs. I also remember that a youth-targeted magazine I received from my church carried a piece back then about the spiritual example of Ken Hubbs. And I was Southern Baptist. He transcended. I didn't recall how he died, but I knew he had. And I'm glad the award lives on.
I vaguely remember Ken Hubbs, and that is a shame from what I now know of him from this article. At least he will be in my memory bank in the future . Thanks