Hall of Fame
Dr. Keith Connor is known as the “Founding Father of Athletics” at Southern Wesleyan University (SWU). It was his passion to see men and women learn to discipline their bodies for their sport in a season of life, so that they could learn how to discipline their spiritual formation for the rest of their lives. His impact went far beyond athletics, however, as many lives were transformed through Keith in his various roles that included professor, class advisor, program coordinator, coach, trainer, bus driver, director of athletics, and more.
In 1962, Keith arrived at SWU as a combination high school senior and college freshman. Following military service in Korea, he returned to campus in 1969 as a full-time physical education instructor and director of athletics. In 1970, Keith introduced a proposal for the development of intercollegiate athletics. During his tenure, he coached many of the university’s teams including men’s soccer, women’s basketball, women’s volleyball, softball, and baseball. When SWU started soccer in 1973, Keith became the first coach, having no knowledge of the sport. The first year his team went 1-10-1, but they quickly improved the following year to 9-8-2.
Keith assisted with developing the NCCAA South District/Region starting in 1972 and served as South Region Chair multiple terms through 2002. He was instrumental in taking several teams to NCCAA and NAIA national tournaments. Keith pushed his student-athletes in the classroom and on the field, never wanting them to settle. His teams competed hard, but winning was not the most important thing he stressed. Keith used athletics as a way to introduce students to Christ. There are several SWU student-athletes around the world serving in many areas, making a difference for Christ because of Keith’s impact.
For many, Keith’s vocational roles transitioned to personal roles. He became a mentor, a job reference, a friend, and a father figure. There are seemingly endless stories from individuals that describe Keith as having played a vital role in their life and spiritual formation. He helped shape the values of his student-athletes who have now passed those values along to their children.
Chris Williams, SWU Director of Athletics stated, “As the current director of athletics, I am honored to hear the stories from alums who describe how much he cared for them. The same happens when I hear from non-student-athletes who had him as a professor. They brag on his desire to not only see them be successful academically, but also as young men and women within the community.”
“Coach Connor treated all students the same way - he loved us!” said Rev. Joy Bryant, SWU Executive Director of Alumni & Constituent Relations. “He wanted what was best for us, but that did not mean perfection. It meant he wanted us to be happy, healthy, and productive Christ followers.”
“As one of the many lives impacted by Coach Connor as a student-athlete, a young coach, and now as a neighbor, I simply know that my wife and my kids have a better husband and father thanks to Dr. Keith Connor,” stated NCCAA Executive Director Dan Wood. “Along with my dad, his name resides at the very top of my Hebrews 11 list of faith heroes in my life.”
The NCCAA is honored to induct Dr. Keith Connor into the Hall of Fame as a member of the Class of 2019.