NAIA - Super Regionals

2005 Avista NAIA World Series Banquet

Dave Keilitz, executive director of the American Baseball Coaches Association, will be the keynote speaker at the Avista NAIA World Series banquet on May 26 at the Lewiston Elks Lodge.

Keilitz has spent the last 11 years overseeing the most powerful body in amateur baseball. ABCA has more than 5,800 members from around the world and strives to further knowledge and awareness of the game, and assist with the development and promotion of baseball at all levels.

“Baseball America” magazine ranks Keilitz as one of the 10 most influential people in baseball outside the major leagues.

“We are honored to have Dave Keilitz join us and be a part of this year’s World Series,” LCSC Director of Auxiliary Services Jamie White said. “Dave is one of the most influential people in amateur baseball. What he’s done for amateur baseball speaks for volumes.”

This will be the first time Keilitz has been to Lewiston for the Series. He will help kick off the event at the annual banquet and is scheduled to attend games on May 27 when the 10-team double-elimination tournament opens at Lewis-Clark State College’s Harris Field.

The banquet is sponsored by both the Lewiston and Clarkston Chambers of Commerce. Tickets can be purchased at either chamber office for $25 apiece for two for $40. A social hour kicks the evening off at 6:30 p.m., followed by the banquet at 7:30 p.m.

Keilitz spent 34 years at Central Michigan University, first as a student and later as athletic director, before joining the ABCA. Three years ago, CMU built a new baseball stadium and named the clubhouse after Keilitz and his wife, Sue.

He has been elected into the Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame, the Midland County Sports Hall of Fame and the CMU Hall of Fame. In 2002, he received the prestigious “Lefty Gomez Award”, which is the highest award in amateur baseball and awarded to an individual who has distinguished himself amongst his peers and has contributed to the game of baseball locally, nationally and internationally.

Keilitz began college at CMU in 1960 and became the university’s first baseball player to be selected first-team All American. He set 19 game, season and career hitting records at CMU.

Following graduation in 1964, he spent a year as a graduate assistant coach for baseball and then was appointed as the freshman team coach the following year. In June of 1970, he became head coach of the program.

He spent 14 years as head coach and compiled a 456-203 record. His winning percentage of .692 was the best off all NCAA Division I coaches in the Midwest region during that time. He won five Mid-American Conference titles and four MAC Coach of the Year honors. Seven times he led the Chippewas to an appearance in the NCAA Tournament. He produced eight All-Americans and had 51 players sign professional contracts, seven of which played in the major leagues.

In his 20 years as freshman and head coach at CMU, Keilitz never had a losing season. He was named NCAA Regional Coach of the Year twice.

After the 1984 season, when Central won the MAC title and finished second in the NCAA regionals, Keilitz was appointed athletic director at his alma mater. As athletic director, he was instrumental in raising funds to help upgrade CMU athletic facilities. During his 10-year tenure as athletic director, CMU won 26 conference titles and every CMU sport had a coach honored as the MAC Coach of the Year at least once.

Keilitz also served on the NCAA Council and several NCAA committees. He chaired the NCAA Baseball Committee, the Committee to “Fine Tune” legislation from the 1991 NCAA “Reform” Convention, and the NCAA Federation of Rules by Sports Committee.

Under Keilitz’s leadership at the ABCA, amateur baseball legislation has changed bat and ball standards for college play and there has been playoff bracket expansion all at collegiate levels.

Keilitz and his wife, Susan, have two sons, Craig and Brad. Craig is the association director of athletics at Wake Forest University and Brad is director of marketing for Neumatics Corporation.

For ticket information on the banquet, contact either the Lewiston Chamber of Commerce (208-743-3531) or the Clarkston Chamber of Commerce at (509) 758-7712. For ticket information on the NAIA World Series, contact Marge Stout at LCSC at (208) 792-2471.