Ken Nicol was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Nicol was an outstanding shortstop in the late 1940s and early ’50s with the junior Orioles, Rosedale, the ANAF (Army, Navy, Airforce) Vets, Transcona, and the Trail Smoke Eaters (BC). Nicol later became a player and coach for the St. Boniface Native Sons and the Fort Whyte tournament team. In one game, Nicol had a triple against Chet Brewer to win a Saskatoon tournament, and in another he had a home run against the House of David. Nicol also excelled in fastball, soccer, and basketball.