2011 Doc Counsilman Award Winner
Lawrence Central/Warren Central High School Coach, 1963 – 88
Con Keller’s illustrious coaching career began at Lawrence Central High School in 1963. After graduating from Indiana State University and coming off the heels of NAIA All‐American honors in 1961, Keller took a teaching and track and field coaching position at Oak Hill High School in Converse, Indiana. Two years later, he was hired at Lawrence Central to begin a swim program and build a competitive swim team. Keller made quick work of the challenge, leading three swimmers to IHSAA individual titles. In 1969, Keller was hired as the aquatics director and head swimming coach at Warren Central High School. While at Warren Central, Keller coached four individual state champions and a state championship relay team. His Warriors finished the 1985 season as the IHSAA State Finals runner-up, finishing second in the team standings to Columbus North. During his time at the helm at Warren Central, Keller’s program produced six All‐Americans, six Honorable Mention All‐Americans, and four state record holders. Keller left his position as head swimming coach to become Warren Central’s assistant athletic director in 1988. In May of 2005, after 45 years of teaching and coaching, Keller retired. Throughout his career, one influence remained constant, the influence of Dr. James “Doc” Counsilman and his teaching methods had an immeasurable impact that Keller carried with him from his time at Indiana State throughout the entirety of his coaching career. Keller was a part of many memberships and associations while serving competitive swimming in Indiana, among them: Indiana High School Swimming Coaches Association (1963‐1983), National Interscholastic Swimming Coaches Association (1964‐1992), National Federation of High School Athletics Swimming and Diving Association, and the Indiana High School Athletic Association’s Rules Committee (1977‐1985). Keller’s service to the Indiana swimming extends beyond the high school circuit as he spent many years as a youth counselor and waterfront director for the Evansville YMCA Camp Carson in Princeton. He has three children, four grandchildren, and many relatives and friends that helped him celebrate the receipt of this lifetime achievement award.