Why the 2023 Northern Kentuckian of the Year has ties to the 'That's My Boy' award

Brendan Connelly, Cincinnati Enquirer
·2 min read
Ken and Kate Williams are the 2023 Northern Kentuckians of the year. They started the Kenny and Brian Williams Fund in memory of their sons who graduated from Covington Catholic. The fund provides financial aid for Covington Catholic students and a scholarship for a graduating senior.
Ken and Kate Williams are the 2023 Northern Kentuckians of the year. They started the Kenny and Brian Williams Fund in memory of their sons who graduated from Covington Catholic. The fund provides financial aid for Covington Catholic students and a scholarship for a graduating senior.

Covington Catholic High School announced that 1963 graduate Ken Williams and his wife Kate (Notre Dame Academy Class of 1964), as well as the Kenny and Brian Williams Fund, are the 2023 recipients of the Northern Kentuckian of the Year Award.

The fund was started in 2002 in memory of Kenny, who died from injuries after a fall, and Brian, who died in the World Trade Center terrorist attacks. Kenny graduated from CCH in 1986 and was a co-captain on the football team as a senior. Brian was a three-sport star at CCH, winning two state championships in football and a silver medal in discus. He was also a first team all-conference basketball player.

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Since its inception, the fund has provided $591,996 in financial aid to Covington Catholic students and $105,000 in scholarships to graduating seniors. The Williams' philanthropy extends beyond their alma mater, as they have donated $111, 285 to Northern Kentucky families who have experienced tragedy.

Kenny (left) and Brian (right) Williams both played football at Covington Catholic before graduating in 1986 and 1990, respectively. Brian's name is on the Northern Kentucky "That's My Boy" Award, which is given to a football player who displays leadership, discipline and academic excellence.
Kenny (left) and Brian (right) Williams both played football at Covington Catholic before graduating in 1986 and 1990, respectively. Brian's name is on the Northern Kentucky "That's My Boy" Award, which is given to a football player who displays leadership, discipline and academic excellence.

Brian's name is also on the Northern Kentucky "That's My Boy" Award, given annually to a football player who displays "leadership, sportsmanship, and competitive zeal and drive for academic excellence", as stated on the website. Williams won the award in 1990, beginning a deep connection between Covington Catholic and the award. Ten Colonels have won, with Aiden Jones being the most recent recipient in 2023.

The awards luncheon will be held Friday, May 12. Past honorees include Bob Castellini, Dennis and Joyce Griffin, Paul Hemmer, Sr. and Buddy LaRosa. The luncheon, which was first held in 1996, has raised over $1.2 million for work study financial aid at Covington Catholic.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Covington Catholic announces Northern Kentuckian of the Year honorees