John Keeter

Even though he was born in Gaston County, John Keeter's impact on the Rutherford County sports landscape is undeniable. He was a standout athlete at Gardner- Webb, before becoming the longtime head coach of the CHASE High School football team.

Keeter began his football career as a player at Stanley High School in Gaston County. He was a top offensive lineman that paved the way for the Blue Devils' perfect 10-0 record and a Little 6 Conference Title as a junior in 1955.

After graduating from Stanley in 1957, Keeter began his college football career at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, before transferring to Gardner-Webb when it was a Jr. College in 1958. He played two seasons for the Runnin' Bulldogs on the offensive line. In 1959, Keeter earned Gardner-Webb's "Best Lineman" Award, to go with All-American honors for his performance on the field that season. Keeter, who was also a catcher for the Gardner-Webb baseball team, was inducted in the Gardner-Webb University Hall-of-Fame in 2015.

After Gardner-Webb, Keeter joined the United States Army where he served from 1960-62. He was a member of the prestigious Honor Guard Company that is tasked with guarding The Tomb of The Unknown Soldier.

After leaving the Army, Keeter finished his playing career at Western Carolina, where he was elected as a team captain in 1964. He then began a long and successful coaching career, starting at Newton Conover from 1966-70, coaching football, wrestling and Track. After spending two seasons in the college ranks as head coach of WCU's freshman football team, Keeter became the head coach at St. Stephens High School in Hickory for football, wrestling and Track from 1971-72.

In the Fall of '72, Keeter came to Rutherford County as CHASE'S head football coach, leading the Trojans for nearly two decades, from 1972-1991. He was also the head coach for the wrestling and Track teams during his Trojan tenure, along with serving as the school's Athletic Director.

Keeter is most well-known for his success on the gridiron, however. He garnered a school-record 72 wins at CHASE and coached three future NFL players, Chuck McSwain,Rodney McSwain, and Billy Ray Vickers, all of whom are also members of the RCSHOF.

Keeter's best seasons with CHASE came in 1975 and 1976, where he led the Trojans to an undefeated season in '75 and to back- to-back Southwestern Conference Titles. As a result, Keeter earned consecutive Conference Coach of the Year honors and was selected The Spartanburg Herald Coach of the Year in 1976. Keeter also coached in the 1979 East/West All-Star Game. In addition to the RCSHOF, Keeter is a member of the CHASE High School Hall of Fame.

After leaving CHASE, Keeter returned to coaching in 1993 at R-S Middle School and led the Knights to an undefeated football season in 1995. He has also spent time as an assistant coach at North Brunswick High School during his career.

"No words can say how much this honor means to me." Keeter said of his induction into the RCSHOF. "It represents all of the players, coaches and people who have had an impact on my life. I would not be here if it were not for them."