Members
Inductee
KELLER, J. RUSSELL “RUSS”
KELLER, J. RUSSELL “RUSS”
Born on August 20, 1930
Gary, IN
May 21, 1992.
Inducted On
Location Inducted
Merrillville, IN (Posthumously)
Region Number
1
Crown Point
Merit - Athletic Trainer
Thornton Fractional, Calumet City, IL
1948
Illinois All-State Football 1947; National Honor Society; captain of football team; outstanding wrestler.
Indiana University
1953
Played football 1 year 1948-1949; President of Board of Governors-Men's Residence Center; graduated Cum Laude HPER-IU; was an outstanding college wrestler for 4 years; served as team captain for winning Little 500 Bicycle Race 1951.
Wrote the first PE Syllabus for elementary and high school; coached junior varsity football at Crown Point HS 1 year; assistant coach Crown Point Elementary School for several years; started a high school club to train teenagers to work with mentally challenged children; began a student athletic trainers program; inducted into Indiana Wrestling Hall of Fame posthumously; Crown Point Athletic Center named in his honor by the city of Crown Point; was life-time member of NEA and IHPER and belonged to the Indiana Referee's Association, refereeing wrestling matches at the junior high and high school levels.
Wife, Donna; children, James and Katherine.
Merit Contributor - Athletic Trainer: Certified as an athletic trainer July 13, 1989, and worked with high school football team until his illness in 1991.
