Will Keener Dies at Age 67
College Sports Information Directors of America
Will Keener, a longtime Cal State Stanislaus sports information director and celebrated Turlock resident, died Saturday after a long illness. He was 67.
Keener, a Modesto native who grew up in Ceres, retired from Stanislaus in 2001 after 31 years. He served as a university public affairs officer and was the Warriors' first sports information director.
"We lost a tremendous historian," said former baseball coach Jim Bowen. "Will knew everything about that campus. He was a great, positive spokesperson for the university overall."
Bowen, who coached the Warriors for 25 years, said Keener was a fine writer whom he encouraged to chronicle his memories of the athletes and events during his tenure.
"I, for one, was exceptionally happy and proud of all the good press and stories he gave us and our programs through the years," Bowen said. "He was instrumental in getting a lot of sports opportunities, namely softball and soccer, in the Turlock area. He was very active in that."
Keener received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the College Sports Information Directors of America in 2003. He was on the Sportsmen of Stanislaus Club board for 28 years, serving as the president from 1994-95.
His accomplishments extended beyond athletic circles. Keener was named Turlock's Citizen of the Year in 1984, and served on various leadership organizations including the 12:10 Lions Club and Turlock Parks and Recreation Commission.
He started Turlock's Junior Miss program, ran it for 14 years and was inducted into the California Junior Miss Hall of Fame.
Keener is survived by his wife, Blanche, whom he shared a 45th wedding anniversary with on Sept. 10, as well as daughters Tracy Walsh of Modesto and Shelley Fernandes of Turlock and six grandchildren.