Ken Beardslee inducted into National High School Hall of Fame

Marilene Beardslee was thrust into the spotlight Saturday, July 2 as she accepted recognition in Reno, Nev. on behalf of her late husband, Ken Beardslee and his induction into the National High School Hall of Fame. Though he never sought the spotlight, the moment would have been perfectly suited for her husband, she commented.
“Ken liked speaking,” Marilene said. “He was a polished speaker and was featured at many banquets. He could have been a great sports announcer.”
It was Ken’s prowess on the baseball field that garnered the honor Marilene accepted at the Peppermill Resort in Reno. Beardslee was one of 12 members inducted as part of the 2016 class that included legendary football coach Steve Spurrier.
Local resident Terry Lowery nominated Beardslee for the honor, submitting a two-page application that included a number of Beardslee’s many accomplishments. Lowery has been researching Beardslee’s career for the past two and a half years.
In three years as a varsity baseball player, Beardslee compiled a 24-1 record as a starting pitcher. His team went 31-1 during that time. What garnered so much attention though, was Beardslee’s knack for striking people out. He set seven national high school records from 1947-49, two of which still remain — 18.1 strikeouts per seven innings for a career and 19 strikeouts per seven innings his senior year. Beardslee also recorded eight no hitters and two perfect games at Vermontville High School.
Beardslee pitched for the Vermontville Merchants his freshman year of high school, before Vermontville High School formed its team. Lowery said the Merchants were so impressed with Beardslee as a freshman, they knew they couldn’t let him miss out on high school baseball his remaining three years of eligibility.
For all of his accolades on the field, Marilene commented that her husband was a better man off the field.
“Ken was a soft-spoken and kind gentleman,” she said. “He was always that way, he never got flustered. He was great with our sons, Cary and Craig.”
According to a press release from the National Federation of State High School Associations, the 12-member class was selected following a two-level selection process, which included a screening committee of active high school state association administrators, coaches and officials, and a final selection committee composed of coaches, former athletes, state association officials, media representatives and educational leaders.