Kenneth A. Free

 

Kenneth A. Free has been a performer, a coach, an official, a clinician and an administrator, with his primary focus on athletics. He participated in sports in both high school and college where his talents earned him a professional baseball contract with the New York Mets organization where he played for five years (1960 - 1964). In 1961, the "Mets" sent Ken to play for the Raleigh, NC "Caps" in the Carolina League. One of his fond personal experiences came in 1959 while playing in the Old Negro League with the Raleigh, NC Tigers and later barnstorming with the world famous Satchel Paige All Stars.

Ken is a 1954 graduate of James B. Dudley High School, Greensboro, NC and a 1970 graduate of North Carolina A&T State University where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Health, Physical Education and Recreation. He is a gold enthusiast and a Mason. Ken is a life member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. and receieved a Man of the Year award in 1976, Fayetteville NC Alumni Chapter.

After Graduation, he began his professional career in Recreation Administration. First, he worked with Greensboro Parks and Recreation and later with the Division of Parks and Recreation for the North Carolina Natural Resources and Community Development. Ken was elected to a statewide post as President of the North Carolina Recreation and Parks Society in 1978. In 1986, Ken received the prestigious Presidential Citation and the Fellow Award, the highest award given by the North Carolina Recreation and Parks Society. Governor James Holshhouser, Jr. recognized Ken's achievements by awarding him the Order of the Long Leaf Pine.

It was through his professional administrative prowess and deep concern for youth and intercollegiate athletics, that in 1978 Free became the first full-time Comissioner for the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC). Comissioner Free was instrumental in initiating both the Freedom Bowl All Star Classic and the Heritage Bowl which are venues for athletes from historically Black institutions to further be exposed on a regional and national level increasing their exposure to professional scouts.

There were many accomplishments during hus tenure with MEAC. the number of conference schools mushroomed with the addition of Florida A&M University, Bethune Cookman College, Coppen State College, Norfolk State University, and Hampton University. The Conference expanded the number of conference goverened sports for both men and women. New programs were initiated includinf, the Football All Star Banquet, MEAC Hall of Fame, Football and Basketball Officiating Schools, Hall of Fame Golf Tournament, and the NCAA Division I classification for all member schools. In 1981, MEAC was granted an automatic berth to participate in the NCAA Division I Men and Womens basketball championships.

In 1982, he was named liason to the American Football Coaches Association by the newly formed University Commissioner's Association (UCA). In 1987, Comission Free gained national attention when he became the first Black to be named to the NCAA Division I Mens Basketball Committee. He served on the NCAA Executive Committee, Budget Committee, Championship Commitee, Professional Sports Liason Committee, and NCAA Post Graduate Scholarship Committee. He also served on the Executive Committee of the National Association of College Directors of Athletifs (NACDA), and Collegiate Commissioner Association (CA).

Free worked at McKinley Financial Services, Inc. in Fort Lauderdale, FL in the Student and Sports Division. From 1996 to 2006 he was Comissioner for the Eastern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference which included Allen University, Barber-Scotia College, Claflin University, Edward Waters College, Morris College, and Voorhees College. Presently he serves as Chairman of the Board for the Metropolitan Junior Baseball League (MJBL) a national youth baseball program headquartered in Richmond, VA. He us senion consultant to HBC Sports Magazine.