Ken Hayward

A high school sensation coming out of Waterford, Ken Hayward was a record-setting two-way powerhouse on the Michigan Wolverines during the Wolverines’ glory years of 1982-1985, helping to lead Michigan to two Big Ten championships, two NCAA Regional championships and two trips to the College World Series, including a national semifinal finish in 1983.

Hayward earned First Team All-Big Team honors all four seasons in Ann Arbor. He still holds the University of Michigan’s all-time records for highest career batting average (.376), most runs batted in (207) and most games played (234).

Given the opportunity to pitch during a summer in the Cape Cod League, he was asked to step in on the mound for the Wolverines his final two years and performed admirably, posting a 12-2 record with seven saves.

Ken Hayward’s finest collegiate season came in 1985 when the Wolverines’ team co-captain earned his greatest award, the Big Ten Medal of Honor, recognizing his athletic and academic excellence, and was named the Michigan Senior Athlete of the Year, batting .432 with 89 base hits, 13 round-trippers, 150 total bases and 64 RBIs in 65 games.