Fredonia University

The following information was taken from the Hall of Fame program published at the time of induction. Some editing was required:

Joseph N. Keyser was a member of the Inaugural Class inducted into the Fredonia State Athletics Hall of Fame. The ceremony was held Sat., Sept. 27, 1986, at the Topiary Tree in the Campus Center.

Mr. Keyser came to SUNY College at Fredonia in 1935 and served on the staff for 33 years. He retired as the chairperson of the Physical Education department after serving as director of athletics, as teacher, and coach. He coached basketball (1935-57), baseball, golf, and cross country. For 10 years he was the only coach Fredonia State had. He developed the program of intercollegiate athletics and organized the first intramural program on the campus.

In high school in Springfield, Ohio, he was on the all-state basketball team for two years and led the team to the state championship. He made the mythical All-Ohio Team while attending Wittenberg University, from which he earned a bachelor's degree in 1929. He also received a master's degree from Columbia University Teachers College (1934) and did post-masters' work at Columbia and New York University.