Roger S. Penske/Lehigh Athletics Hall of Fame
Keenhold, Ron
Ron Keenhold
- Induction:
- 2001
- Class:
- 1956
The Class of 2001 marked the first induction of a member of the diving fraternity to the Lehigh Athletics Hall of Fame. There could not have been a better person selected to represent the diving community than Ron Keenhold. A two-time All-American in both the one and three meter diving events, a swimming and diving coach and instructor for over 40 years, and a pioneer in the sport of swimming and diving, he is revered as one of the most loyal and dedicated members of the aquatic community by many of his peers.
Keenhold set several school and Jacobs Pool records while at Lehigh. He was undefeated in varsity dual meets his last three years and boasted a 27-2 overall record in dual meet competition for his career. He finished 16th and 13th in the one and three meter dives, respectively, as a sophomore. As a junior, he improved to seventh and eighth in his respective events to earn All-American status. He repeated his junior season performance at the NCAA Championships as a senior by jumping to sixth in the one meter and holding at eighth in the three-meter to earn All-American status in both events once again. While his national accomplishments were astounding, he took care of business in the valley as well defeating archrival Lafayette all four years. After his senior season in 1956, he competed in the United States Olympic trials before entering the Army in 1957.
Upon returning from military service in 1958, Keenhold began his coaching and instructing career at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He coached several freshman sports there including swimming and diving, baseball, and lacrosse in addition to instructing several aquatics classes.
In 1961, Keenhold arrived at what would be his home for the next 38 years, Dartmouth College. He began as the freshman swimming and diving coach, but eventually worked his way up the coaching and administrative ladder. In 1970, he was named the head men's swimming coach and pool director. Later in his career, Keenhold held the title of Assistant Director for Facilities and founded “The Colors” diving clinic. Throughout his career he served as a physical education instructor specializing in swimming, life saving and water safety.
“I am tremendously honored to have been elected into the Hall of Fame,” Keenhold said. “It was a privilege for me to attend Lehigh University, further my education, and pursue my athletic ambitions. My accomplishments while at Lehigh encouraged me to undertake a career in collegiate coaching. Lehigh played a very important role in my life and I am grateful for my lifetime achievements that can be attributed to my Lehigh experience.”
His accomplishments as a coach mirrored those of his days as a collegiate diver. He posted a 105-98 record over 18 years as a head coach. In that time period, he coached nine All-Americans, one Rhodes Scholar, 16 individual Eastern Champions and three relay champions before his retirement in 1999.
Keenhold continues to be an active member of the swimming and diving community even after retirement. He has served as a diving judge at the NCAA National Championships, director of diving events for the Eastern and Ivy League Championships, and is the founder of several swimming camps and organizations.
Keenhold and his wife Carol have three children, Todd, Craig and Caron.
Keenhold set several school and Jacobs Pool records while at Lehigh. He was undefeated in varsity dual meets his last three years and boasted a 27-2 overall record in dual meet competition for his career. He finished 16th and 13th in the one and three meter dives, respectively, as a sophomore. As a junior, he improved to seventh and eighth in his respective events to earn All-American status. He repeated his junior season performance at the NCAA Championships as a senior by jumping to sixth in the one meter and holding at eighth in the three-meter to earn All-American status in both events once again. While his national accomplishments were astounding, he took care of business in the valley as well defeating archrival Lafayette all four years. After his senior season in 1956, he competed in the United States Olympic trials before entering the Army in 1957.
Upon returning from military service in 1958, Keenhold began his coaching and instructing career at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He coached several freshman sports there including swimming and diving, baseball, and lacrosse in addition to instructing several aquatics classes.
In 1961, Keenhold arrived at what would be his home for the next 38 years, Dartmouth College. He began as the freshman swimming and diving coach, but eventually worked his way up the coaching and administrative ladder. In 1970, he was named the head men's swimming coach and pool director. Later in his career, Keenhold held the title of Assistant Director for Facilities and founded “The Colors” diving clinic. Throughout his career he served as a physical education instructor specializing in swimming, life saving and water safety.“I am tremendously honored to have been elected into the Hall of Fame,” Keenhold said. “It was a privilege for me to attend Lehigh University, further my education, and pursue my athletic ambitions. My accomplishments while at Lehigh encouraged me to undertake a career in collegiate coaching. Lehigh played a very important role in my life and I am grateful for my lifetime achievements that can be attributed to my Lehigh experience.”
His accomplishments as a coach mirrored those of his days as a collegiate diver. He posted a 105-98 record over 18 years as a head coach. In that time period, he coached nine All-Americans, one Rhodes Scholar, 16 individual Eastern Champions and three relay champions before his retirement in 1999.
Keenhold continues to be an active member of the swimming and diving community even after retirement. He has served as a diving judge at the NCAA National Championships, director of diving events for the Eastern and Ivy League Championships, and is the founder of several swimming camps and organizations.
Keenhold and his wife Carol have three children, Todd, Craig and Caron.
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