City of Philadelphia - File #: 260625

• File #: 260625
• Version: 0
• Type: Resolution
• Status: IN COUNCIL
• File created: 6/4/2026
• In control: CITY COUNCIL
• Title: Also naming the 1400 block of Green Street as "Coach Ken Hamilton Way," in honor of Kenneth "Ken" Hamilton, affectionately known as "Coach Ham," for his extraordinary record of leadership, mentorship, and service to generations of young people in Philadelphia.
• Sponsors: Councilmember Young, Councilmember Ahmad, Councilmember Bass, Councilmember Brooks, Councilmember Driscoll, Councilmember Gauthier, Councilmember Gilmore Richardson, Councilmember Harrity, Councilmember Jones, Councilmember Landau, Councilmember Lozada, Councilmember Phillips, Councilmember Squilla, Councilmember Thomas
• Indexes: STREET RENAMING

Title
Also naming the 1400 block of Green Street as "Coach Ken Hamilton Way," in honor of Kenneth "Ken" Hamilton, affectionately known as "Coach Ham," for his extraordinary record of leadership, mentorship, and service to generations of young people in Philadelphia.

Body
WHEREAS, Kenneth "Ken" Hamilton, affectionately known throughout Philadelphia as "Coach Ham," devoted decades of his life to educating, coaching, and mentoring young people at Benjamin Franklin High School; and

WHEREAS, Coach Hamilton served for 28 years as the head basketball coach at Benjamin Franklin High School, building one of the most respected and successful programs in the history of Philadelphia high school basketball; and

WHEREAS, During his distinguished coaching career, Coach Hamilton led Benjamin Franklin High School to 456 victories and four Philadelphia Public League basketball championships; and
WHEREAS, Coach Hamilton's first Public League championship came in 1981, when Benjamin Franklin High School defeated Frankford High School and captured its first league title since 1952; and

WHEREAS, Coach Hamilton retired as the winningest coach in Philadelphia Public League basketball history at that time, leaving behind a record of sustained excellence and an enduring standard for coaches across the city; and

WHEREAS, Coach Hamilton's legacy cannot be measured solely by victories and championships, as he consistently used athletics as a vehicle to teach discipline, perseverance, accountability, teamwork, and respect; and

WHEREAS, As an educator and mentor, Coach Hamilton had a lasting impact on generations of Benjamin Franklin High School students, including young people who carried his lessons forward through their families, professions, and service to the community; and

WHEREAS, Coach Hamilton's life and work reflect the finest traditions of Philadelphia public education and Philadelphia basketball: excellence rooted in service, leadership grounded in character, and a commitme...