A native of Murfreesboro, TN, Kenneth “Ken” Tillage is a 1960 graduate of Holloway High School. Having served in the United States Army, where he also participated in Battalion wide football for the 3rd Infantry Mermen, he earned All USARA honors as a tackle and was selected to play in the European All-Star game in 1963. Upon receiving an honorable discharge from the military, Ken followed his high school coach, Theo Danzy, to Alcorn State University where he had just been hired. Having a knowledge, and passion for the game, Ken started every game, holding the center position, and was eligible to play for three years. During his tenure at Alcorn State University, he earned All SWAC honors and was elected the team Captain for his Senior Year upon graduating in the Spring of 1968. Ken was later inducted into the Alcorn Football hall of fame in the fall of 2008.
While attending Alcorn, Ken pledged Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity (Gamma Pi Chapter) in the fall of 1965. This was just the beginning of his lifelong service, as he now proudly wears the white coat indicating 50-year membership. Ken is an active member of the Natchez Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.
Upon graduation, Ken coached football in Hazlehurst, MS and also coached the first integrated team in McComb, Ms. Shortly after, he was offered and accepted a coaching position at Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. After six seasons, the last, in which he served as Interim Head Coach, he entered employment in the private sector. Ken became the Program Director at the local Juvenile Detention Center. Having worked as the director for a number of years, Ken soon retired. Upon his retirement, Ken founded one of the fastest growing minority-owned construction companies in America, Tillage Construction, LLC where he is still active daily.
Gamma Pi – 2nd Quarter 2019