This year, February 2024, my brother Eric and I lost our dad, Ken Fritz at the age of 66. Big Ken was a role model and mentor to many people throughout his life from business to athletics. We have been blessed to hear so many stories since his passing on the positive impact he has made on so many people. It’s truly humbling!

Big Ken came from difficult beginnings in Ironton, Ohio, excelling in athletics, most notably with Football. Honored as a 1979 Co-Captain, 2x All Big Ten (1978 & 1979), and 1st team All American (1979) for The Ohio State Buckeyes, drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 1980 NFL Draft.

Big Ken’s athletic accomplishments are well documented, but his leadership and work ethic is what separated him from the rest. A father, grandparent, teammate, coach, mentor, hard worker, leader! The list goes on.

To honor the life and accomplishments of Ken Fritz, we have created The Ken Fritz “56 Fund” in partnership with The Ohio State University. This annual scholarship fund will exist in perpetuity having a goal of creating financial assistance to kids attending The Ohio State University from Ironton and Southern Ohio.

We kindly ask that you please consider making a donation to The 56 Fund so individuals have the opportunity to better themselves with an education from The Ohio State University the same way Big Ken did.

The 56 Fund Award Qualification Outline

(Step Down (1-3) if no one qualifies)

1. First-year undergraduate students who graduated from Ironton High School in Ironton, Ohio, with a 3.0 grade point average (on a 4.0 scale), who were members of multiple high school sports teams, earning at least one varsity letter and demonstrated leadership.

2. If no students meet the selection criteria above, the scholarship will be open to all undergraduate students who graduated from Ironton High School in Ironton, Ohio, and were members of any high school sports team.

3. If there are no eligible students who graduated from Ironton High School in Ironton, Ohio, the scholarship will be open to all undergraduate students who graduated from a high school in Lawrence, Scioto, Jackson, or Gallia Counties, Ohio, and were members of any high school sports team.

The 56 Fund Donation Link:

 https://giveto.osu.edu/makeagift/details/484282?Source_Code=AGAG-OTH-S-ON-GivingSiteNav

Thank you for anything you can do to support this scholarship fund.

Sincerely,

Kenny Fritz II