Jeff Keck
Keck Returns to Syracuse Diving
7/18/2005 5:07:26 PM | Swimming / Diving
SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Jeff Keck will return to Syracuse University in 2005-06 as assistant coach for diving. He previously held the position at SU from 1982-2004, but retired at the same time he announced his retirement from a 25-year teaching position at nearby Henninger High School.
His departure from collegiate coaching proved to be short-lived. Even though he did not coach the divers during the 2004-05 season, he was still present at every home meet. Keck will come out of retirement to replace Chris Waters and return to the job that he held for more than two decades.
“It worked out well for me,” said Keck. “I feel like I made a mistake retiring the first time. I really missed coaching. I’m looking at it as a great opportunity. You don’t realize sometimes what you’re missing until you stop doing it.”
“I am greatly looking forward to Coach Keck’s return,” said Syracuse head swimming and diving coach Lou Walker. “To have a coach with his experience, integrity, personality, as well as his love for the sport and his University is a tremendous formula for success.”
A former Syracuse diver himself, Keck will be in charge of coaching and recruiting SU divers.
He received his bachelor's degree in history from SU in 1970 and served as a graduate assistant coach until he completed his master's degree in physical education in 1972.
Keck coached Samantha Linke to NCAA appearances in 1997 and 1998. In 2001, he guided Julie Van Deusen to a seventh-place finish (out of 35 divers) on the three-meter board at the NCAA Zone 'A' Diving Championship at Navy.
Sara Mastropole, a pupil of Keck's from 1998-2001, graduated as a three-time Academic All-American.
In 2003, Keck helped guide three Orange men (Rick Rodriguez, Dewey Schultz and Tony Campagna) to the NCAA Zone Diving Meet at the University of Buffalo. It was the first time since he helped Brad Ripps qualify in 1995-96 that SU sent male divers to the zone meet.
Keck taught physical education and coached golf and lacrosse at Henninger High School in Syracuse for 26 years.
He and his wife of 35 years, Sandra, have three children, Danielle, Sean and Marni. Marni will be a senior at Syracuse this year.
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