USF to celebrate anniversary of first athletic event

Posted Sep 24, 2010 by Adam Adkins

Updated Sep 24, 2010 at 07:28 PM

Bill Keegan remembers watching a segment on television regarding USF athletics, and how the program referenced the beginning of Bulls intercollegiate sports was in 1966.

There was just one problem.

“I know where I was at in 1965,” Keegan said.

That year, Keegan and four others competed for the USF cross country team. The team’s first event – a home meet against Florida State, according to Keegan – occurred 45 years ago Saturday, and to celebrate the anniversary of what was the first intercollegiate event in Bulls history, Keegan will return to USF and take a ceremonial lap around the track at 10 a.m.

“I haven’t run in a long time. I hope I don’t make a fool of myself,” Keegan, 63, joked.

Keegan, who was the first person to receive a varsity letter from USF, will be the only member of that team present Saturday. One has passed away, one could not attend because of a schedule conflict and two others could not be located, he said.

Keegan, who resides in Winter Park, said he kept a box full of memorabilia from his athletic endeavors at USF, including photos and press clippings. After seeing the television spot, he said he reached out to USF, where he was put in touch with Kemel Thompson, director of the Bulls Varsity Club. Keegan ended up donating some of his memorabilia to USF, he said, and the idea to celebrate the first athletic event in school history - which he was a part of - spawned from those discussions.

“It’s been real nice,” said Keegan, a 1969 USF graduate. “I feel like I’ve reconnected to the school.”

USF will honor Keegan during halftime of Saturday’s football game against Western Kentucky.