SE Bluegrass News

Legendary EKU Football Coach Recognized for his Outstanding Achievements

Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) released a special-edition EKU Magazine celebrating legendary Coach Roy Kidd. For almost four decades, Kidd built a legacy as the EKU football coach that led the Colonels to 314 career wins, 37 non-losing seasons, two I-AA national championships and 16 conference titles from 1964 through 2002. His career achievements earned him membership in the College Football Hall of Fame and most recently, the recipient of the 2023 Amos Alonzo Stagg Award. Despite numerous other awards and honors, many say Kidd’s biggest impact was on his players, staff, the coaching profession, his alma mater and the community. 

The Coach Kidd Special Edition EKU Magazine documents the countless accolades of Kidd, including stories about his start in sports as a child, the beginnings of his coaching career for Madison-Model, career highlights as EKU Football coach, newspaper clips of classic EKU Football moments and articles sharing fond memories from family, friends and colleagues.

The magazine opens with a letter from former EKU interim athletics director, Jack Lengyel, and his wife, Sandy, noting, “Despite all his success, Coach Kidd was always quick to credit others, and this publication will share some personal stories from those who knew him best.”  

EKU President David McFaddin surprised Kidd by hand-delivering a copy of the magazine. 

“Everyone in our Colonel community knows the name of Coach Roy Kidd—whether that’s through his well-known career as football coach, going to games at the iconic Roy Kidd Stadium or walking past the statue of Coach Kidd on our campus,” said President McFaddin. “It was an honor to visit Coach Kidd and his family and share this special publication with them. He is incredibly deserving of this recognition and represents so much to our Colonel family.”

The magazine was mailed to members of the EKU alumni community, donors and friends.   

“This was a two-year process from planning to writing to design,” said Betina Gardner, vice president for university development and alumni engagement. “Anyone we asked to contribute to the magazine did so eagerly—yet another indication of Coach’s impressionable impact on those around him. From the writers to the folks providing photos and memorabilia—they all eagerly jumped at the opportunity to tell Coach’s story.”

See the special edition magazine at go.eku.edu/coachkidd.

Original source can be found here.