Houghton University Athletics

A graduate of the Class of 1979, Kenneth J. Heck was one of the last true “team players” in a sport that has moved into an age of specialization. One coach even referred to Ken as, “a one man track team.” It was not unusual for Ken to enter 5-7 events in a meet and win most of them. A typical day might have included appearances in the high jump, long jump, several sprints, a sprint medley relay and his “specialty” 110 meter high hurdles. 

Ken’s school record efforts in the 110 meter high hurdles (14.9) and the 400 meter intermediate hurdles (55.3) still stand as Houghton College bests. At the time it was established Ken was ranked as one of the top collegiate hurdlers in the Northeast. 

Upon completion of his degree, Ken continued on at Houghton College as an instructor and Athletic Trainer, a program that he essentially built from the ground up. He served the college in that capacity from 1979-1991. He also served as the school’s Track and Field coach from 1984-1991, often demonstrating what one colleague described as his “nearly perfect biomechanical form” for his student/athletes along the way. Ken has played an indispensable part in what Houghton’s Athletic Training and Track programs are today. 

Since 1991 Ken has served in the Athletic Training program at Messiah College in Grantham, Pa., where he works with student-trainers in both the clinical and classroom settings.