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Politics

West Palm's Keiser University to Play Football, Seeks Head Coach

November 15, 2016 - 2:30pm

Arthur Keiser, chancellor of Keiser University, formally announced Tuesday the private, not-for-profit university will add a football program at its flagship campus in West Palm Beach.

Keiser's announcement came during a press conference Tuesday morning with campus President Gary Vonk and the university's newly named athletic director, Kris Swogger.

"The extraordinary athletic programs at the flagship campus have provided countless opportunities for graduates to demonstrate their leadership skills and teamwork abilities, while instilling motivation to strive for greatness," said Vonk. "Our students have demonstrated success in the classroom and on the field. The students and the university are better, as a result."

Keiser said he expects the first official game to be played in fall 2018 with the search for a head coach to begin immediately. The stadium, track, and additional athletic facilities are anticipated for completion during late summer 2018.

The school is part of the Sun Conference, which has 11 members, including eight located in Florida: Keiser, Ave Maria, Florida Memorial (Miami), Johnson & Wales (North Miami), St. Thomas (Miami Gardens), Southeastern (Lakeland), Warner (Lake Wales) and Webber International (Babson Park).

A number of sports personalities supported Keiser's decision by joining in during the announcement: former University of Miami and Florida Atlantic University head football coach Howard Schnellenberger, Seahawks head basketball coach Rollie Massimino, former NFL players Stocker McDougle, and Derrick Crudup, Palm Beach Sports Commission Executive Director George Lindley, and Sun Conference Commissioner Mark Pope.

Keiser University now has 22 intercollegiate athletic teams competing in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) division. The Seahawks have won four national championships and boast 67 All-American student-athlete scholars from over 39 countries. The women’s golf team is the 2016 NAIA National Champions for the second straight year and third time in school history. Men’s basketball and men’s tennis are the Sun Conference regular season champions and the women’s soccer team won the 2015 Sun Conference Tournament Championship.

The school already has one big-name coach in men's basketball, in the form of Massimino, who led Villanova to the NCAA championship in 1985 and has built Keiser‟s program into an NAIA contender.

"I'm grateful for the opportunity that Dr. Keiser, Mr. Crocitto, and Dr. Vonk have given to me to lead the Keiser University Athletic Department," said Swogger.  "I believe that we have the coaches, students, and staff to accomplish great things athletically, academically, and in the West Palm Beach community.  It is an exciting time to be a Keiser University Seahawk, and I look forward to building a successful football program for our students, staff, alumni, and fans."
   
Formerly assistant athletic director, Swogger joined Seahawk Nation in February 2011.  He has been part of the growth and success of Seahawk Nation during his tenure.  Since 2011, the athletic department student athlete population has doubled, and the number of NAIA varsity sports offered has increased from 11 to 21.

Keiser University, co-founded by Arthur Keiser, in 1977, serves nearly 20,000 students offering 100 degrees at the doctoral through associate level on 18 Florida campuses, online and internationally, and employs 3,800 staff and faculty. It is ranked No. 23 by US News & World Report in its 2017 Best Regional Colleges South category and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

Comments

Keiser University is a private college and is not subsidized by the state of Florida

The school has built a reputation in athletics with it's basketball team so bring in football should be the next step. Just don't think they will have a championship right away it will take a few years to get there.

Small University of Tampa tried that years ago.... Didn't work ! (It's a "money pit") Baseball, soccer, Girls softball, volleyball and field hockey "a better fit". ALL of these Colleges & Universities have WAY TOO MUCH OF OUR TAX MONEY AND EXCESS FEDERAL GRANT MONIES "TO BURN"!!!!!

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