Published: October 24, 2009 06:22 pm      

Keel honored by Wrestling Hall of Fame

Being recognized for values he learned from his father was a bittersweet experience for Jay Keel. Honored as an Outstanding American, Keel dedicated the award to his father, who had died earlier that day.

“He is the one who inspired me to be an athlete and to be involved in a career that has focused on helping others,” said Keel, who was recognized as an Outstanding American by the Oklahoma Chapter by the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Oct. 11.

Keel, of Ada, is the sole recipient of the state award and accepted the award to honor his father’s memory and legacy.

He was selected for applying characteristics learned as a high school and collegiate wrestler to his life and career, said National Wrestling Hall of Fame & Museum Executive Director Lee Roy Smith.

“I am humbled and honored to receive this award, there are a ton of other people who deserve this award,” said Keel.

The Outstanding American award demonstrates wrestling’s pride in those who have used the disciplines of the sport to launch notable careers in other walks of life, such as science and technology, business and industry, government and the military, and the arts and humanities.

Keel has worked for 16 years establishing the Chickasaw Nation Youth and Family Services team which now includes 150 employees. He has served as division administrator since 1995.

He also leads mission and humanitarian initiatives to Belize and Africa.

“Jay Keel has the strength of character necessary to put the needs of others above his own,” said Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby. “This recognition confirms what those who know Jay already understand. He is an outstanding individual in all the ways that matter most.”  

Keel wrestled at Ada Junior High and High School, where he was conference champion as a senior and placed third in the 1976 Class 3A Oklahoma State Tournament.

After earning a scholarship to Haskell Indian Junior College in Lawrence, Kansas, his collegiate wrestling career was sidelined early due to a knee injury.

“I wrestled two matches and injured my knee, it was a humbling experience.”

 After college, Keel became an ordained and licensed minister.

“In my ministry, my family life and all of my work I continue to draw from the character and strength developed through participating in wrestling,” Keel said.

He credits four individuals for his success on and off the wrestling mat; his father, former coach John Strickland, former Ada church pastor Michael Catt, and Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby.

He said his father instilled a great work ethic in him, as was one of his mentors.

“Coach Strickland gave me a second chance after I had quit wrestling. (Wrestling) helped me finish high school and impacted me for my lifetime in the fact that people need second chances.”

After becoming a Christian at age 24, Keel joined Catt’s church staff as a youth minster.

It was in this position where Catt mentored Keel in the early days of his youth ministry.

Keel also lists Gov. Anoatubby as a mentor.

“He asked me in 1993 to come and start (the division of) Youth and Family. He is one of my pillars and he believes in giving people a second and third chance in the tribe and in the state. It’s hard not to make mistakes in life, and the mission of many of Youth and Family’s programs are founded on offering second chances.”

Keel said he still draws from the characteristics he developed as a wrestler.

“Whenever there’s a challenge, I remember the stamina, disciple and drive it took to be a wrestler.  You have to be disciplined to be a wrestler, and with life, to be successful.”

Keel is one of seven contributors to the sport of wrestling who were honored by the Oklahoma Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame during the event.

Six recipients were inducted with Lifetime Service to Wrestling Awards, an honor given annually to coaches, officials and contributors who have given at least 20 years of service to wrestling, their communities and to the young people they have coached, taught and inspired.

Inductees include Edward Evey, A.L. Haizlip, Ellis Holt, Gene Knight, Kenny Ritchie and Larry Winnard.

The National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum is located at 405 West Hall of Fame Ave., in Stillwater, Okla. For more information about the Hall of Fame, log on to www.wrestlinghalloffame.org, or phone 405-377-5243.