Gardner-Webb Athletics Hall of Fame
Standout lineman John Keeter made a name for himself in Boiling Springs on the football field for legendary head coach Norman Harris in the late 1950s. Keeter, who also played baseball for the Bulldogs, was a two-year starter at offensive guard on the gridiron and was highly decorated in his final season. Keeter earned junior college All-America honors in 1959 and was also named Gardner-Webb’s best lineman. The Bulldogs finished a solid 4-2-1 that season. Keeter joined the U.S. Army, where he was selected for the prestigious Old Guard Honor Guard Company in Arlington, Va. He also played football for Fort Belvoir during his tour of duty. Keeter finished his football career at Western Carolina, playing right guard for the Catamounts. He was named co-captain of the 1964 squad, which finished with a 6-4 record. Keeter went on to a successful career as a high school coach, directing programs at Newton-Conover, St. Stephens and Chase. He spent 24 seasons coaching football, track and wrestling – as well as serving as athletics director – at Chase and coached the only 10-0 regular season team in school history. He was twice named Conference Coach of the Year in football, and once in wrestling. Keeter was chosen to coach in the N.C. East/West All-Star Game in 1979.
