Book was printed, published by Micropress, a
subsidiary of Living Magazines.
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| Shields with Mark Collier and Erin Sendelbach, owners of Micropress |
By Chuck Keller
“Life is lived forwards but can only be understood
backwards,” wrote Soren Kierkegaard and that becomes clear after talking with
the legendary Kenney Shields about his recently self published book, Nothing
More, Nothing Less, Nothing Else, a reference to what he often told his teams
before games. If you have ever met Shields, then you know that he is a great
storyteller who sees the optimistic side of almost any situation. Not only is
he admired and respected for his coaching but he is equally admired for the
positive effect he has had on Northern Kentucky.
Kenney and I sat on his shady front porch reviewing his
career, people, and events. The book
follows Kenney from his Irish Catholic upbringing in Covington through his
first teaching job at Covington Catholic (for $4,000 a year to teach and $300
to coach), to his successes at Saint Thomas High School, Highlands High School,
and Northern Kentucky University.
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| Marie and Kenney Shields. |
I asked him how long it took to write the book. He smiled and said, “Well, twelve years ago Dave Schabell, who retired from Proctor and Gamble and does a lot for Bishop Brossard’s programs, asked if we could write a book.” Shields was hesitant at first but after two years he agreed.
And there’s a lot to talk about. Schabell writes in the
Introduction that Shields is “Northern Kentucky’s favorite son who has been
enjoying a rightfully earned retirement since 2004. But a fire still burns
within him fueled by a passion for the sport he was devoted to for most of his
life.” And that is apparent when you speak with him because he smiles and his
eyes twinkle with delight at fond memories.
Shields married his high school sweetheart, Marie, who has an
easy laugh and a hug for everyone. She is an equally legendary and much loved
elementary teacher who retired from Fort Thomas schools. His children, and many
are teachers, are also active in the community.
Kenney Shields won - a lot. After 34 years he amassed an
overall 766 - 427 record that includes high school and collegiate coaching. He
won a number of regional championships, NCAA Division II National
Championships, was the National Coach of the Year, has a Covington city park
named for him, has been inducted into a number of Hall of Fames, and is a
popular speaker. To the casual observer,
it may appear that Shields’ career was a rapid rise to the top, but he tells
stories of the low points. It would be easy to gloss over those but he reveals
it all and how that inspired him.
Shields doesn’t talk about himself but he instead brags
about the success of his players. His success is how successful his players and
students become knowing that he played a role in that. Is that gratifying. “It
really is,” he says. He smiles.
Here’s something to understand about Kenney Shields. He
shares the credit for all of his successes. He credits Marie for a successful
family, he credits assistant coaches, administrators, and players for
successful seasons. He knows that he needs a team and the help of others to
succeed. He credits a team of people for the successful publishing of the book.
He has that uncanny ability to put together a team that soars above and beyond
their individual talents. That’s why he is a legend. Shields’ team for this
book includes David Schabell, Dick Murgatroyd, Terry Boehmker, Rick Meyer, and
Jim Lied, Erin Sendelbach and Mark Collier a pretty storied group of
individuals.
One thing struck me about Kenney Shields. He gives to the
community. He has given so much already though teaching and coaching, but he
gives financial support to the schools that influenced him. For example, he
donates all of the money from his sports camps. It’s that important. He says,
“My mother said that we should give to the special places in our lives. And I
am a believer in it.” He believes that the success or failure of a community is
the responsibility of the people who live in the community. If everyone has a
responsibility to make the community a better place then Kenny Shields has had
a profound impact not only on Fort Thomas but Northern Kentucky.
He has touched the lives of athletes, students, teachers,
and parents on multiple levels. He has shaped his students and players to be
productive, caring people. If there is one thing that the reader can take from
this book it is that if you want to live in a great place then you have to make
it a great place.
“We got towards the end of the book, but we didn’t know how
to go about publishing it.” And that’s where other team member steps in. “Terry
Boehmker, (sports writer for the Northern Kentucky Tribune), asked about it and
he pared the book down. He is the ultimate closer.” He understood publishing
and made things happen. “I’m having fun and having more fun as we go. It’s
exciting.”
A Fort Thomas company, Micropress Publishing, a subsidiary
of Living Magazines, printed and published the book.
I asked him what he wanted the reader to get out of the
book. “Well, I want people to enjoy the story.” He paused and said, “Get
involved. Get involved for somebody else not for yourself.”
The book is a wonderful read about a local legend and you
just might adopt a new motto of Nothing More, Nothing Less, Nothing Else.
A quarter of the proceeds of the $15 sales goes
to the Kenney Shields Scholarship Fund for NKU’s men's basketball players.
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