ST. PETERSBURG -- Eckerd Athletics will honor the late Chad Keller, assistant men's basketball coach for Embry-Riddle, when the two schools face on Saturday inside in the McArthur Center. Coach Keller passed away after long battle with cancer this past summer.
Coach Keller dedicated over 20 years to Embry-Riddle, helping build one of the nation's most respected basketball programs, mentoring countless student-athletes, and inspiring everyone around him with his passion, humility, and leadership. He joined the Embry-Riddle coaching staff in August of 2004, and in over two decades with the Eagles, he played an instrumental role in building one of the most respected basketball programs in the country. During his tenure, the Eagles posted a 453-187 record, captured six conference tournament championships, four regular season titles, and made 12 national tournament appearances, including a trip to the NCAA Sweet 16 in 2022. He was also the driving force behind the program's recruiting success, helping to bring in multiple All-American players and future coaches to the program.
"Coach Keller is the epitome of what it takes to be a great basketball coach and an even better person," said Eckerd Director of Athletics Tom Ryan '87. "His footprint on basketball in the state of Florida, and the legacy he built through mentoring and meaningful relationships, will live on forever."
Before arriving at Embry-Riddle, Keller was one of the top high school coaches in the state of Florida, most notably at Leesburg High School, where he led the Yellow Jackets to six consecutive Sweet 16 appearances and a trip to the State Final Four in 2002. That same year, he was named the Florida Dairy Farmers Class 5A Coach of the Year. A proud alumnus of Flagler College, Keller was a decorated point guard and team captain, ranking among the program's all-time leaders in assists. He also enjoyed a storied high school career and in May 2025, he was inducted in the St. Cloud High School Hall of Fame.
Eckerd will honor his legacy prior to both the women's and men's contests on Saturday, January 24 with a brief reading and moment of silence. All proceeds from the games will go towards the Chad Keller Scholarship Fund.
Those interested in giving toward the fund can do so
here.
