Commissioner Keeling To Speak At Adelphi's 8th Annual Black History Celebration
Courtesy of Aldephi Athletics
Garden City, N.Y. -The Adelphi University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, in association with the Office of Alumni Relations will host is 8th Annual Black History Month Celebration; Honoring the accomplishments of student-athletes and alumni of color. This year's event will feature Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Commissioner, Rudy Keeling, and is scheduled to begin at 10:00 a.m. in the Campbell Lounge located in the Center for Receration and Sports.
Keeling became the seventh commissioner of the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) and the first African-American to assume this prestigious position.
At the ECAC, he oversees the largest intercollegiate conference in the country with approximately 300 Division I, II and III members, nine affiliate organizations and six playing leagues. Keeling also oversees an officiating bureau with more than 4,400 officials in 12 sports. Under Keeling's leadership, the ECAC has co-hosted the 2008 and 2009 NCAA Men's Lacrosse Final Four at Gillette Stadium, and will serve as a co-host of the 2012 championships.
Keeling is currently a member of several NCAA committees. He serves as the chair of the Minority Opportunity and Interests Committee, and was the chair of the Division III subcommittee on membership issues. He is also a member of the NCAA strategic planning and finance committee and the NCAA nominating committee. In addition, he serves on the NCAA management council. Keeling is on the Board of Directors of the Minority Opportunities Athletic Association (MOAA) and is a member of the Conference Commissioners Association for Division I, II and III. In 2008, he was elected to the executive committee for the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA).
Also speaking at the event, is Lawrence S. Smith, Jr. '74, a founding member of Theta Epsilon Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and a former athlete.
The celebration will also include a video tribute to the late Cecil K. Watkins '75 and a performance by LS Jazz Sounds trio.
The event, which consists of a brunch, is open to the public. Over the years, with the assistance of the Multicultural Alumni Chapter, it has attracted many alumni back to campus, many who had lost touch with the university. The keynote speakers have included former Adelphi Dean of Athletics and Head Track Coach Ron Bazil, Congressman Gregory Meeks '75, author Patricia Elam '76, and Board of Trustees Kenneth Banks '74, Dr. N. Gerry House, attorney/author Alicia M. Crowe and NCAA VP for Diversity & Inclusion, Charlotte Westerhaus.
Approximately 150 alumni, current athletes and administrators are scheduled to attend the celebration. The event is open to the public but advanced notice is highly recommended. For more information or to RSVP please contact Suzette McQueen by phone at (516) 877-4236 or by email at mcqueen@adelphi.edu.
