This fall Billy Keenist will make the transition from Oxford Wildcat to Adrian Bulldog.
The 2006 OHS graduate and quarterback is set to play football for Adrian College.
‘I’m very excited about it,? Keenist said. ‘I think it’s going to be a great opportunity for me.
Once Albion College, Adrian’s biggest rival, started talking to Keenist in August 2005, he said, ‘Word got around, then Adrian started pursuing me.?
‘They sent me stuff every single day,? he said. ‘I had people from the Miami Dolphins, Chicago Cubs, send me stuff telling me how great it was.?
Visiting the campus, Keenist liked the small school atmosphere and ‘personable? players and coaching staff.
‘It fits me really good,? he said. ‘I’m a small town guy. I was never going to go to a big school.?
Because Adrian is a Division III school they can’t offer athletic scholarships. But Keenist said Adrian Head Coach Jim Lyall is ‘going to find me jobs and find ways to help me pay for school.?
Keenist reports to training camp in August. ‘I’m looking to start as soon as possible,? he said. ‘There’s some very good quarterbacks in front of me and I’ve got a lot of work to do. But I’m going in with the mind-set that I can play right away.?
Keenist said Coach Lyall told him if he works hard he ‘should probably have a good chance of seeing some playing time? during his sophomore year.
‘I know Adrian is right up there in the MIAA (Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association),? he said. ‘I’m ready for a championship. Let’s get that ring.?
But for now, he’s still got a lot of work ahead of him. ‘I know what I’ve got to do. I’ve got to get in the weight room,? said Keenist, who’s 6-foot, 2-inches tall and weighs 190 pounds.
‘I’m not very fast. I’ve definitely got to work on my speed,? he explained. ‘That’s the way it’s always been. I’ve never been the fastest guy, but I’ve learned to make up for it with smarts.?
Keenist gives lots of credit to Oxford Coach Bud Rowley for making him the player and man he is today. ‘There’s been no person that’s had a greater impact on my life,? he said. ‘He’s taught me more than anybody. Aside from my parents, he’s been the greatest influence in my life.?
‘He’s taught me so much off the field,? Keenist noted. ‘He’s taught me how to be a man. I owe a lot to him.?
As for life after college, Keenist said, ‘I’m going to go as far as football can take me playing. I don’t care where I play.?
‘If it doesn’t work out, then I’d love to do what Coach Rowley does and coach high school football. Hopefully, one day back here at Oxford.?
That’s why he plans to major in secondary education.
‘I would love to come back here and coach under (Rowley) and hopefully be the head coach at Oxford some day,? Keenist said. ‘That’s my ultimate goal.?