First in a series
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COOKEVILLE, Tenn. -- Some time during the night of the Hall of
Fame inductions, before his name is called and he steps to the
microphone to accept his honor, don’t be surprised to see
Kenneth Fults filling water glasses or handing out extra rolls at
the dinner in the Multipurpose Room.
Those who know Fults realize that serving others has been one of
the signatures of his life.
While his contributions on the football field have harvested a
bounty of success, his charitable works have been equally
impressive. He is a member of several different organizations
including the American Heart Association and the American Cancer
Society.
As a member of the Mt. View United Methodist Church, Fults helped
build two houses while working for Habitat for Humanity. He is also
a frequent volunteer in Sunday School.
Typical of such an unselfish man. Same can be said for his service
to the country.
After his Tech career came to an end, Fults went on to serve as a
member of the United States Marine Corps, based out of Camp
LeJeune, N.C., for two years.
It was several years after he completed his football career that
he returned to TTU to earn his bachelor’s degree in
Industrial Technology in 1968.
And, so it is with his induction into the Hall of Fame -- he
quietly follows a handfull of teammates into the group. Any
description of Fults must include the term “humble” in
addition to any accolades for his success as a Golden Eagle.
A four-year member of the Tennessee Tech football team, Fults was
part of the historic Golden Eagle squad that took home four
consecutive Ohio Valley Conference titles, from 1958-61, under
coach Wilburn Tucker.
There has not been a stretch as successful in Golden Eagle
football history.
As a junior, Fults finished second on the team in rushing with 374
yards, while scoring three touchdowns. One year later as a senior,
Fults became Tech’s go-to rusher as he accounted for a
team-high 663 rushing yards, while scoring a team-leading five
touchdowns, en route to TTU’s fourth straight OVC title, the
longest such streak in Tech’s history.
With Fults on the squad, Tech compiled a 28-11-2 overall record,
including a gaudy 22-1-1 mark in OVC play. He also helped the 1960
team reach the Tangerine Bowl.
He earned all-OVC honors twice, and as a senior was chosen
third-team All-America.
Prior to his time at Tennessee Tech, Fults served as a team
captain for Grundy County High School in Coalmont, Tenn., where he
earned all-conference honors and all-state honorable mentions in
1957.
He met his wife Sharon at Tech in 1961 and the couple was married
in 1963. They have two children Gina and Kevin and three
grandchildren. Currently, Ken and Sharon reside in Blountville,
Tenn.
Fults is one of four people who will be inducted at the annual
Hall of Fame Dinner, scheduled for Friday, Nov. 2, in the
Multipurpose Room of the Roaden University Center. The induction
dinner is part of Homecoming festivities. Tickets for the dinner,
or the Saturday afternoon game against Eastern Illinois, can be
purchased through the Athletics Ticket Office in Eblen Center or by
calling (931) 372-3940.