Dave Keilitz

For over 50 years, Dave Keilitz gave his time and energy toward excellence in baseball and athletics in Mt. Pleasant.

As a player, first baseman Keilitz set 17 Central Michigan University records, capped by being named the Chippewas’ 1964 team Most Valuable Player and becoming the first All-American in program history, a member of the National Association Intercollegiate Athletics All-American First Team.

He was named CMU head baseball coach in 1971, a position he held for 14 years – and not once in that time did his Chippewas finish with a losing record. Keilitz finished with a 456-203 won-lost record, moving the program successfully from Division II to Division I, winning four Mid-American Conference championships and making six NCAA tournament appearances. He was recognized for his success with four Mid-American Conference Coach of the Year Awards and two NCAA Regional Coach of the Year awards.

Keilitz served as Central Michigan University Athletic Director from 1984-1994 and was inducted into the Marcy Weston Hall of Fame in 1994. He was subsequently inducted into the NAIA Hall of Fame in 2008 and the MAC Hall of Fame in 2013.

From 1994 through 2014, Keilitz served as the American Baseball Coaches Association Executive Director.

In April 2018, Central Michigan University named the baseball field at Theunissen Stadium Keilitz Field in his honor. “Dave set the foundation and expectation for success in CMU baseball,” said CMU Associate Vice President and Director of Athletics Michael Alford, “and there is no more fitting name for the field.”