Hall of Fame
Ken Blanchard came to Chowan in the Fall of 1960 from Highland Springs, Virginia. He was recruited by former legendary Chowan coach, Jim Garrison, who was in his third year at the helm of the then-Braves football program. Blanchard played two seasons under Garrison where he was a standout offensive back.
Over two seasons Blanchard ran his way to a two-year total of 1,645 yards and 19 touchdowns. Blanchard tallied the “pay dirt hat trick” (three touchdowns in a game) three times. In his sophomore season Blanchard helped to propel the football team to an 8-1 overall record and a NJCAA Rose Bowl appearance in Pasadena, California. The 1961 Chowan Braves football team was honored earlier this year as a Chowan University Athletics “Team of Distinction” for having posted one of the most successful seasons in the program’s history.
Blanchard left Chowan in 1962 to attend Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond. He graduated from VCU in 1964 and was hired to teach and coach in Richmond. While coaching near his hometown, Blanchard decided to pursue a career in flying. Soon Blanchard pooled all of his efforts into his flight career. He served as a flight instructor and as a private jet charter pilot before being hired by Phillip Morris, Inc. as a Captain in 1977.
Blanchard flew all over the world for Phillip Morris, Inc. and after 25 years, retired in 2002. Following his retirement from Phillip Morris, Inc., Blanchard and his wife, Sandra Burnette Blanchard, purchased a horse ranch near Richmond where he also trained horses as a certified horse trainer. Blanchard helped to campaign for the Pond Football Center, which now houses Chowan’s football staff, team meeting rooms, and weight and fitness training center.
Blanchard became a Master Mason in 2012 and a year later, a Scottish Rite Mason. Ken and Sandra celebrated 47 years of marriage in August. Together they have two sons, Jon and Ryan.
