Kenneth G. "Coach" Cunningham, 71, of Stow, passed away February 9, 2015. Ken was born February 15, 1943 in East Liverpool, Ohio to the late Kenneth and Dolores (Hanley) Cunningham. He earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Cincinnati, and his Master's degree in Education from Kent State University. Ken was a three sport star at East Liverpool High School and was named the Ohio High School Basketball AA (big school) Player of the Year in 1961. He went on to play basketball at The University of Cincinnati where he played in the Final Four as a sophomore in 1963, as the Bearcats were going for a 3rd consecutive NCAA championship, but lost to Loyola, Univ (IL.) in the title game. He captained the Bearcats during his senior season, 64-65. He began his basketball coaching career in 1965 as a graduate assistant at Kent State University. He then served as an assistant coach at Kent Roosevelt for two seasons and then as the head coach at Solon High School for the 1968-69 season at the age of 25. In 1969 he joined the basketball staff at the University of Cincinnati for 7 years, reaching 2 NIT tournaments and 2 NCAA tournaments. From 1976-80, he was the head coach at The University of Akron where he helped the Zips in the big task of transitioning from Division II to Divison I and entering the Ohio Valley Conference. In 1980-81, he finished his coaching career as the head coach at Northwest High School in Canal Fulton. Ken was an avid golfer and enjoyed playing in the Traveling Tuesday Teachers (TTA) golf league. But most importantly, Ken loved being a grandfather and got a kick out of being silly and telling stories to his grandchildren. He is survived by his former wife, Judy Walker, his sons, Kenneth (Jeanie), Tom, and Mathew (Christine) Cunningham; two foster sons, David and John; seven grandchildren, Carson, Kenny, Grant, Carly, Owen, Kate, and Finley; and his beloved sister, Janie Smith.