Fred Fest

Fred Fest was born Frederick William Fest in Winchester, Kentucky on March 6, 1897, to George Maxmillian Fest and Alice Alberta Johnson Fest.  He was a notable basketball player who played as a center for the University of Kentucky Wildcats during the early 1920s.

He attended Martins Ferry High School in Ohio, where he was the basketball team’s captain and his class’s salutatorian. After spending one year at Marietta College, in Marietta, Ohio, Fest transferred to the University of Kentucky, where he lettered in both basketball and football for three years.

During his time at Kentucky, Fest played in a total of 28 games over three seasons from 1920 to 1923. He scored 131 points in his college basketball career, with his best season being the 1922-23 season, where he scored 94 points. Fest was known for his athleticism and versatility, contributing significantly to the Wildcats’ performance during his tenure.

After graduating from Kentucky with a degree in mechanical engineering, Fest continued his athletic career by playing professional football with teams such as Duluth, Green Bay, Cleveland, Canton, Massillon, Akron, and Wheeling. He also served with the U.S. Army Engineers and the U.S. Navy Mine Force during World War I.

Fred Fest’s legacy extends beyond his athletic achievements. He was one of the founders of the Weston Sanitary Board and served as the past president of the Weston Rotary Club and the Weston Chamber of Commerce. He was a registered professional engineer in West Virginia and began his career with the Equitable Gas Company in 1923, eventually becoming the superintendent of production and transportation over all of West Virginia.

Fred Fest passed away on April 1, 1974, at the age of 77. His contributions to both sports and his community are remembered and celebrated.