THROUGH THE YEARS, A FAMILY GROWS TOGETHER

When Ken Nickson was 14, playing pick-up basketball and lifting weights at the YMCA, he never imagined how the Y would be part of his life as a busy professional, husband and father to five children.

He stayed connected to the Y through high school and college. After marrying his high school sweetheart and starting a family, Ken found himself returning to the Eastside location with his own children.

“I brought them twice a week when they were little. We would play in the inside and outside pools, they did camps and childcare,” Ken says. “They played sports for the YMCA and I would most likely be the head or assistant coach for their teams. We took advantage of events like ‘movie in the pool’ and the Run-A-Muck mud run, which was a family favorite.”

Now, as teens and young adults themselves, Ken’s kids remain active with the Y, working as referees, lifting weights, swimming, playing basketball and racquetball.

As Ken looks back, he credits the Y for providing so many opportunities for quality family time.

“Being there to swim and play together, to show them proper techniques to lift, teach them gym and weight room etiquette, coach them and teach them life-long skills for healthy living and character development – that has been pivotal for me,” Ken says. “The Y was a major part of their upbringing, and I believe has a lot to do with why each of them excelled academically and athletically, playing sports through elementary, middle, and high school, and at the collegiate level.”