Tribute Narrative for Coach Keating and Coach Cillo
Presentation to be read v 3.0
On this date April 14, 2012, we recognize the accomplishments of Coach Jim Keating, Lt Col USAF (Ret) and the late Coach Tony Cillo, Lt Col USAF (Ret) in pioneering the Lacrosse program at the US Air Force Academy.
In 1967, the first Academy varsity lacrosse team completed a successful evolution from club status the previous years to a full varsity level program. Head Coach Bob Kelley, LtGen USAF (Ret) developed this team on the field as well as led the transition process through the Academy leadership and the administrations of colleges in the area. In 1967, Coach Keating and Coach Cillo led the freshman lacrosse team to an undefeated season. The following year Coach Kelley transferred the varsity team to Coach Keating who became the Head Coach and Coach Cillo who became the Assistant Coach.These two (2) would serve as varsity lacrosse coaches from 1968 to 1974.
Coach Cillo’s coaching expertise was based on his performance as a multi-sport athlete at Rutgers University in New Jersey, winning 5 varsity letters; 3 of those as a varsity lacrosse player in 1950,’51 and ‘52.
He played against all the major lacrosse powers along the east coast.
He received an officer commission in the US Air Force and served for over 20 years. He became instrumental in the development of the initial Academy physical education program.
Coach Keating was a four (4) year letterman at the University of Maryland. He was a two (2) time All-American midfielder and was recently recognized as one of the four (4) exceptional players who led the University of Maryland to undefeated seasons in1955 and 1956.
Coach Keating played in the North -South All Star game against a fellow All-American named Bob Kelley.
As a further tribute, Coach Keating was recognized for his outstanding play as a Maryland varsity lacrosse player by being inducted into the U.S. Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 1981.
Coach Keating received an officer commission in the US Air Force and served for over 20 years. After tours in Viet Nam, he became part of the Academy athletic department.
The personal achievements experienced by these two (2) coaches on the lacrosse field during their playing days and the model of excellence they exhibited as career Air Force Officers provided credibility, leadership and inspiration for their players to achieve the highest levels of success on the field and in the classroom.
During the coaching tenure of these two (2) men, the Academy lacrosse program became established as the best lacrosse program in the West. During this timeframe, Academy lacrosse teams captured Rocky Mountain Lacrosse league titles (in both Collegiate and Open divisions) from 1968 through 1974:
the 1971 undefeated team played in the quarterfinals of the first NCAA lacrosse tournament in 1971;
twenty four (24) Academy lacrosse players were selected as All-Rocky Mountain League players;
four (4) Academy players participated in the North-South All Star lacrosse games;
two (2) players received the AFA Top Six Award:
one (1) player was designated a Rhodes Scholar:
In keeping with the excellence established during the Coach Kelley varsity year in 1967 wherein Bill Markham and Russ Voris were recognized as Lacrosse All-Americans, as an ultimate tribute to the quality of the Academy lacrosse program developed by Coach Keating and Coach Cillo during their years of coaching, Academy lacrosse players Rick Taylor, Ray Niemiec and Dan Ulmer received national recognition as Lacrosse All-Americans.
The coaching efforts and examples provided by Coach Keating and Coach Cillo carried over into the everyday life of cadets. The lessons of tenacity and perseverance served all their players well as they completed their cadet duties. As future officers, they would take the examples of teamwork, sacrifice and commitment to all of their assignments on active duty and throughout their careers, serving their country as well as serving their families and communities. The leadership provided continues here today for all their players who are grateful for the rewards received from victory and the lessons learned in defeat. These have carried them through their lives and gave true meaning to
General Douglas MacArthur’s quote …
“On the fields of friendly strife are sown the seeds that on other days and other fields will bear the fruits of victory…”
All the players coached by these 2 outstanding officers and gentlemen were able to enjoy the richness of this coaching experience. The Class of ‘70 lacrosse players who were especially privileged to be part of the undefeated freshman lacrosse team in 1967 and later part of the varsity lacrosse teams in‘68,’69 and ‘70 enjoyed a special bond with Coach Keating and Coach Cillo. With Coach Cillo’s passing in 1998, the players continue to reflect on that bond that was created for all the Academy Lacrosse players. As Coach Keating reminds us to this day, the lacrosse experience becomes a permanent part of your personal fabric for the rest of your life. Academy lacrosse players have demonstrated that fact by continuing their lacrosse careers as club players, as Vail tournament players, as well as coaches for high school and college level lacrosse programs around the country. Bill Markham class of ’68 and Phil Pignataro class of’68, Dan Ulmer class of ’71, Cat Stevens class of’74, and Rich Long class of ’76 returned to the Academy lacrosse program as coaches of the varsity lacrosse team. Many Academy lacrosse players have contributed to the growth of “ the fastest sport on two (2) feet….”
We therefore commemorate on this date, April 14, 2012 the contributions, accomplishments, achievements and commitments made by Coach Jim Keating and Coach Tony Cillo, in developing a national lacrosse program at the US Air Force Academy that continues more than 40 years later. It will always be a privilege to be called an Air Force Academy varsity lacrosse player.
v 3.0
Presentation to be read v 3.0
On this date April 14, 2012, we recognize the accomplishments of Coach Jim Keating, Lt Col USAF (Ret) and the late Coach Tony Cillo, Lt Col USAF (Ret) in pioneering the Lacrosse program at the US Air Force Academy.
In 1967, the first Academy varsity lacrosse team completed a successful evolution from club status the previous years to a full varsity level program. Head Coach Bob Kelley, LtGen USAF (Ret) developed this team on the field as well as led the transition process through the Academy leadership and the administrations of colleges in the area. In 1967, Coach Keating and Coach Cillo led the freshman lacrosse team to an undefeated season. The following year Coach Kelley transferred the varsity team to Coach Keating who became the Head Coach and Coach Cillo who became the Assistant Coach.These two (2) would serve as varsity lacrosse coaches from 1968 to 1974.
Coach Cillo’s coaching expertise was based on his performance as a multi-sport athlete at Rutgers University in New Jersey, winning 5 varsity letters; 3 of those as a varsity lacrosse player in 1950,’51 and ‘52.
He played against all the major lacrosse powers along the east coast.
He received an officer commission in the US Air Force and served for over 20 years. He became instrumental in the development of the initial Academy physical education program.
Coach Keating was a four (4) year letterman at the University of Maryland. He was a two (2) time All-American midfielder and was recently recognized as one of the four (4) exceptional players who led the University of Maryland to undefeated seasons in1955 and 1956.
Coach Keating played in the North -South All Star game against a fellow All-American named Bob Kelley.
As a further tribute, Coach Keating was recognized for his outstanding play as a Maryland varsity lacrosse player by being inducted into the U.S. Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 1981.
Coach Keating received an officer commission in the US Air Force and served for over 20 years. After tours in Viet Nam, he became part of the Academy athletic department.
The personal achievements experienced by these two (2) coaches on the lacrosse field during their playing days and the model of excellence they exhibited as career Air Force Officers provided credibility, leadership and inspiration for their players to achieve the highest levels of success on the field and in the classroom.
During the coaching tenure of these two (2) men, the Academy lacrosse program became established as the best lacrosse program in the West. During this timeframe, Academy lacrosse teams captured Rocky Mountain Lacrosse league titles (in both Collegiate and Open divisions) from 1968 through 1974:
the 1971 undefeated team played in the quarterfinals of the first NCAA lacrosse tournament in 1971;
twenty four (24) Academy lacrosse players were selected as All-Rocky Mountain League players;
four (4) Academy players participated in the North-South All Star lacrosse games;
two (2) players received the AFA Top Six Award:
one (1) player was designated a Rhodes Scholar:
In keeping with the excellence established during the Coach Kelley varsity year in 1967 wherein Bill Markham and Russ Voris were recognized as Lacrosse All-Americans, as an ultimate tribute to the quality of the Academy lacrosse program developed by Coach Keating and Coach Cillo during their years of coaching, Academy lacrosse players Rick Taylor, Ray Niemiec and Dan Ulmer received national recognition as Lacrosse All-Americans.
The coaching efforts and examples provided by Coach Keating and Coach Cillo carried over into the everyday life of cadets. The lessons of tenacity and perseverance served all their players well as they completed their cadet duties. As future officers, they would take the examples of teamwork, sacrifice and commitment to all of their assignments on active duty and throughout their careers, serving their country as well as serving their families and communities. The leadership provided continues here today for all their players who are grateful for the rewards received from victory and the lessons learned in defeat. These have carried them through their lives and gave true meaning to
General Douglas MacArthur’s quote …
“On the fields of friendly strife are sown the seeds that on other days and other fields will bear the fruits of victory…”
All the players coached by these 2 outstanding officers and gentlemen were able to enjoy the richness of this coaching experience. The Class of ‘70 lacrosse players who were especially privileged to be part of the undefeated freshman lacrosse team in 1967 and later part of the varsity lacrosse teams in‘68,’69 and ‘70 enjoyed a special bond with Coach Keating and Coach Cillo. With Coach Cillo’s passing in 1998, the players continue to reflect on that bond that was created for all the Academy Lacrosse players. As Coach Keating reminds us to this day, the lacrosse experience becomes a permanent part of your personal fabric for the rest of your life. Academy lacrosse players have demonstrated that fact by continuing their lacrosse careers as club players, as Vail tournament players, as well as coaches for high school and college level lacrosse programs around the country. Bill Markham class of ’68 and Phil Pignataro class of’68, Dan Ulmer class of ’71, Cat Stevens class of’74, and Rich Long class of ’76 returned to the Academy lacrosse program as coaches of the varsity lacrosse team. Many Academy lacrosse players have contributed to the growth of “ the fastest sport on two (2) feet….”
We therefore commemorate on this date, April 14, 2012 the contributions, accomplishments, achievements and commitments made by Coach Jim Keating and Coach Tony Cillo, in developing a national lacrosse program at the US Air Force Academy that continues more than 40 years later. It will always be a privilege to be called an Air Force Academy varsity lacrosse player.
v 3.0
