Carrying on Nicky Hayden’s legacy
Photos by Ryan Richardson
Nicky Hayden’s legacy in Owensboro extends well beyond what he accomplished on a motorcycle. In the years since his death, his family has worked to carry on another part of his legacy — his love for his hometown, his generosity, and his desire to give back, particularly to children.
Rewatching the MTV documentary “The Kentucky Kid,” there’s something I noticed about Nicky. Any time he was signing autographs for fans or appearing at a media event, he seemed to pay a little extra attention to the younger fans. It may have just been a fist bump or an extra second to take a picture with a kid, but it was there.
Maybe Nicky remembered the way he looked up to racing heroes like Kenny Roberts. Maybe he was doing his part to plant seeds and grow the sport. I suspect a bit of both.
Many examples of Nicky’s generosity went unnoticed and out of the public eye. But his support of the Make-A-Wish Foundation did garner attention. The balance bikes he donated to the Pitino Shelter here in Owensboro — and delivered himself, I might add — are another documented example of Nicky giving back to children.
I bring those examples up because they help explain the origin of what became the Nicky Hayden Memorial Foundation.
When Nicky died in 2017, the family was understandably devastated, but they were determined to put their energy into something positive that would keep his memory alive for future generations.
“We thought, what can we do? And what would Nicky want?” his sister Jenny Hayden Hansler said. “Nicky loved Owensboro. He loved kids. And he loved giving back. So we felt the Nicky Hayden Memorial Foundation was the best way to honor him by carrying on that mission for him.”
The first initiative of the Nicky Hayden Memorial Foundation was the bronze “Kentucky Kid” statue installed in downtown Owensboro on the front lawn of the Owensboro Convention Center.
Standing on the checkered flag pattern at the base of the statue during its unveiling, Nicky’s older brother, Tommy Hayden, said, “Our goal is to grow this [foundation] and keep giving back to continue touching people’s lives just as Nicky would have done if he was still here.”
The statue was unveiled June 8, 2018. At the ceremony, Mayor Tom Watson declared June 9 — 6/09, a nod to Nicky’s No. 69 — “Nicky Hayden Day” in Owensboro. Every year since, the family has held a Nicky Hayden Memorial Ride on the Sunday closest to June 9, with proceeds going to the memorial foundation.
The Memorial Ride begins and ends at the statue, and participation has not waned over the years.
“We see more bikes every year,” Nicky’s younger sister Kathleen Hayden McFadden said. “We get riders from multiple states, and we’ve even had fans from other countries come to Owensboro for the ride.”
Watson said it’s been amazing too see how the ride has kept going.
“It’s truly taken on a life of its own,” he said. “When you talk to those riders, it’s like ‘Why wouldn’t I be here?’ It’s that type of attitude around the event. They love it. That speaks volumes about the respect people have for Nicky and the family. He comes from a family of givers.”
Roger Lee Hayden said the family continues to expand the event.
“We always want people to come back and tell other people about it,” he said. “We’ve added music and activities for kids to make it fun for them, too. It’s more family-friendly now. There’s something for everyone to enjoy.”
Beginning at the statue, the ride leads motorcyclists to Nicky and his father Earl Hayden’s final resting place. Someone from the family or foundation board usually says a few words at the gravesite before the motorcycles roar back to the statue downtown.
“That statue is one of the most visited pieces of outdoor art in our community,” Watson said. “I don’t think there’s ever been a time I’ve driven by when you don’t see someone visiting the statue or taking pictures with it. I think people are so respectful of Nicky, they come and reflect as they feel they need to.”
Running the Nicky Hayden Memorial Foundation is a family effort for the Haydens. Sisters Jenny and Kathleen handle much of the coordination and logistics, while brothers Roger Lee and Tommy serve as public faces and spokesmen. Nicky’s four siblings, along with their mother, Rose, make final decisions on which charities the foundation supports. More recently, they expanded the foundation by adding three board members.
“It’s nice to have the board members because they bring an outside perspective and they have new ideas we haven’t thought of,” Roger lee said.
Each year, the foundation awards grants to local charities benefiting children at Christmas. Two additional community grants are awarded at the Memorial Ride in June.
According to Jenny, the Nicky Hayden Memorial Foundation has awarded a total of $180,000 to more than 20 Owensboro charities that benefit children.
The Memorial Ride is an annual fundraiser for the foundation, but Kathleen says contributions continue to come in from the racing community, and fans still donate in Nicky’s memory. Other grants, including a recent award from 10,000 Reasons, provide additional support.
“When we started the foundation, we weren’t sure how long people would continue to support it, because things usually phase out over time,” Tommy said. “We plan to run it as long as people support it, there continues to be a need for it, and it’s still making an impact.”
Tommy added, “The beauty of continuing the foundation is that it gives us the opportunity to tell his life story. As long as that story continues to impact people in a positive way, and as long as it continues to inspire people, I don’t see why this won’t keep growing and be sustainable for years to come.”
“Nicky would love this,” Kathleen said about the work of the foundation and the Memorial Ride. “There are so many great causes in Owensboro. It takes a village, and we’re happy to do our part, and to do it in Nicky’s honor is very special to our family.” OL
Nicky Hayden Apartments
Located directly across from the Daniel Pitino Shelter, the Nicky Hayden Apartments include 12 units, each with 640 square feet of living space, a full bathroom, and a kitchen with a refrigerator and dishwasher, plus washer and dryer hookups. The project took several years, major donations and multiple community partnerships, including funding from the Kentucky Housing Corporation. The apartments were completed during the pandemic, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony held in July 2020.
Hayden Home for Girls (at St. Joseph Peach Mission)
As with the Nicky Hayden Apartments, the Hayden family purchased and cleared a property before donating it to St. Joseph’s Peace Mission for construction of the Hayden Home for Girls. The addition expanded the campus to four buildings. The Nicky Hayden Commons Area features a central landscaped green space, full basketball court, racquetball nets, and a gazebo. The gated area provides a safe, therapeutic space for children to play, relax, and enjoy the outdoors.
“Having the opportunity to work with the Hayden family has been one of the most enjoyable things I have been able to do as mayor. They are one of the most giving and caring families in our community. They are making a difference in so many lives that will endure for many years to come.”
– Owensboro Mayor Tom Watson
