Kenneth R. Lanoue
Graduating class: 1958
Inducted into Hall of Fame: 2010
Hall of Fame Category: Athlete
Ken “Spider” Lanoue attended Fairhaven High School during an era filled with historic moments, many of which were provided by Ken himself. He was a four sport athlete who earned a total of 9 varsity letters in his four years at F.H.S.
Ken played baseball for three years earning the starting shortstop position in his junior year. He earned a varsity letter in his junior year playing for Hall of Fame Coach Alec Clement. Ken earned three varsity letters while playing for two of Fairhaven’s Tennis coaching icons, George Cook and Ed Twarog,
Ken played four years of basketball under Coach Mel Entin earning varsity letters in his junior and senior years. In his junior year Ken contributed to the team’s 12-2 season and a trip to the Tech Tourney. Although his senior year did not include a post season tournament berth it did provide its share of remarkable memories including great wins over powerful programs such as Taunton, Attleboro, Coyle and Durfee of Fall River on the way to a 10-8 season.
He played four years of football earning 3 varsity letters, a Second Team All Bristol County selection in his sophomore year and First Team All Bristol County selections in his junior and senior years. Ken was a “triple threat” for the team as he was known to throw the long pass, was a shifty running back and the best kicker in the county both for extra points and punts. Fairhaven fans still recall Ken’s 1956 game against New Bedford Vocational when he scored two touchdowns and kicked four extra points earning him the New Bedford Times Star of the Week. A similar memorable performance occurred in his senior year when he scored a touchdown and extra point in Fairhaven’s 7-0 win and third consecutive win over arch-rival New Bedford.
A U.S. Navy veteran and “Tin Can Sailor,” Ken served aboard the U.S.S. Barry DD 933 stationed in Newport RI where he helped the Newport Naval Base Football team to an 11-2 record in 1963. Ken also played several seasons with the Fairhaven Varsity Club and won the Southeastern Semi-Pro Championship in 1964.