Mike Keeney ’65 in Final Year at the Helm of Loyola Athletics
The 2017–18 school year marks the 15th year that Mike Keeney ‘65 has served as Director of Athletics at Loyola. This fall, he has announced that it will be his last. Appointed in 2003, Keeney has overseen an era of tremendous growth. “The landscape of interscholastic sports at the middle and high school levels is always evolving,” said Keeney. “Over the past 15 years, we have seen increased participation among our student body, a greater emphasis on the safety of student-athletes, and some very exciting enhancements to our facilities.”
Keeney spent 25 years in the manufacturing business prior to serving as a College Counselor at Loyola in 1998. He coached middle school to JV levels of soccer, basketball, and lacrosse starting in 1993. He has also taught 8th eighth-grade English for the past 20 years. “Serving Loyola has been one of the greatest pleasures of my life. Attending Loyola as a student had a profound impact on me, and the opportunity to serve my alma mater is one I have never taken for granted.”
While athletics is often measured in outcomes reflected in the win/loss column and championships earned, Keeney looks back on less tangible performances. “I have always lived by and imparted to coaches and athletes that long after the game is won or lost, what is most remembered is how you conduct yourself in moments of victory and defeat,” said Keeney. “Loyola is blessed with so many great young men who display exceptional character, and I am blessed to have witnessed it on display over the years.”
Amidst the many moments of excitement, including nail-biting victories, or brilliant underdog performances, one of the most vivid and impactful memories Keeney cherishes came in a moment of defeat. “Our swim teams have been very dominant in consistently winning MIAA titles over the past 20 years. In the year their streak was broken, the opposing team celebrated in our home pool. Our guys could have held their heads low and stepped off into the locker room with all sorts of emotions running through their minds,” said Keeney. “Instead, they stood by respectfully and waited for the chance to shake the hands of their opponents and wish them a well-earned victory. I can’t get that moment out of my mind, and I’ll likely never forget how proud it made me feel.”
Principal John Marinacci believes that Keeney has led a program that strives for excellence and is instilled with the values of the school. “Mike emphasizes the ideals of Loyola first and has inspired others to understand that the name on the front of the jersey matters most, and how you represent the school is so much more impactful than what the scoreboard can tell you,” said Marinacci. “That is one of the things that we’ll miss about Mike’s style and what we hope to continue to foster in our athletics program.”
His retirement will be effective June 30, 2018, but Keeney will be on hand to continue coaching and remain involved with Loyola Athletics on a part-time basis. A search for Loyola Blakefield’s new Director of Athletics will be underway starting this fall.
