By Dominic Konareski
Voice Writer
Most West Haven residents have likely heard the name of Ken Strong, especially if they have attended any West Haven sporting events at the high school. Ken Strong Stadium is home to the Blue Devils home turf for football, lacrosse and soccer and the surrounding track for track and field.
But who is Ken Strong exactly, and why does he have an entire stadium named after him?
Ken Strong, whose full name is Elmer Kenneth Strong, was born in 1906 on the shoreline of West Haven, Connecticut. Strong would end up attending West Haven High School and became a dual-sport athlete, excelling in both baseball and football.
Strong would be named All-State for football, paving the way for future Westie’s to get the title. After graduating high school, Strong attended New York University.
Keeping consistent with his baseball roots, Strong would sign with the New York Yankees whilst still at NYU and spent the summer of 1929 playing with the New Haven Profs for minor league ball. Throughout all his baseball games, Strong was also continuing his football career, which also went pro in 1929 when he signed with the Staten Island Stapletons.
Strong would be viewed as a prized minor league prospect throughout this three-year career in the minors.
A .331 career hitter who rocked 45 home runs in 1930 would see a wrist injury in late 1931, would later have botched surgery leading to permanent loss of full use of his right wrist, ending his baseball career essentially on the spot.
From 1929-32, Strong became and was regarded as one of the best backs in the league. Strong dominated the-then very important halfback position, which saw him occasionally throw the ball. Overall, though Strong was the definition of a pure all-around player, he seemed unstoppable.
That’s because he was.
In 1930 alone, Strong scored 53 points in 12 games which came from rushing touchdowns, receiving touchdowns, a field goal, and eight extra points.
Strong’s role went primarily to fullback in 1932 due to his wrist injury, as he was still used occasionally in kicking roles. The Westie’ would be left briefly without a team when the Stapletons folded post-1932. In 1933, Strong was signed by the 4-6-2 New York Giants, which then soared to an 11-3 team with the powerhouse duo of Strong and quarterback Harry Newman.
Another powerful state line in 1934 saw Strong receive All-Pro honors and help lead the Giants to their NFL championship comeback win over the Chicago Bears.
Strong would bounce around teams throughout the next several seasons, landing with the AFL’s New York Yankees and the Jersey City Giants before returning to their New York counterpart.
Over the seasons Strong would be widely viewed as one of the best blockers and kickers in football, which would have him introduced into the Pro Football Hall of Fame and be one of the first four players to get his iconic No. 50 Giants jersey retired by the organization.
Many consider Ken Strong to be an early pioneer of pro football, making him considered one of the greatest dual-athletes of the 1930s and overall, of the early 20th century. The six-foot standing Strong’s kicking pose would become a staple of his unique career.
West Haven High School would dedicate their stadium after Ken Strong’s name in 1967 as he was being introduced to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The stadium was opened in the fall of ‘67 before the West Haven vs. Hamden game, as part of what is now Fitzgerald Sports Complex.