Cliff Keen, a University of Michigan wrestling coach for 45 years who headed the 1948 U.S. Olympic team, died Tuesday at his home. He was 90. Keen coached Michigan's wrestling team from 1925 to 1970, the longest tenure of any coach in any sport in NCAA history, the school said in a statement. He coached 68 All-American and 81 Big Ten champion wrestlers and 13 Big Ten championship teams. He also was a member of the Wolverine football coaching staff for 33 years and is the only coach in recent Michigan history to coach Big Ten champions in two sports, the university said. In addition to heading the Olympic team, Keen was named to the 1924 squad, but did not compete because of a broken wrist. He attended Oklahoma A&M, now Oklahoma State, and was a national champion in wrestling, a standout football player and a sprinter on the track team. The cause of death was not immediately available. Keen is survived by a son, James; a daughter, Joyce Novak; nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by his wife Mildred. Keen will be buried Friday at Washtenong Cemetery after services at Muehlig Funeral Chapel in Ann Arbor. Visitation was scheduled for 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday.
Tulsa World
Nov. 6, 1991
Tulsa World
Nov. 6, 1991
Cliff Keen, a University of Michigan wrestling coach for 45 years who headed the 1948 U.S. Olympic team, died Tuesday at his home. He was 90. Keen coached Michigan's wrestling team from 1925 to 1970, the longest tenure of any coach in any sport in NCAA history, the school said in a statement. He coached 68 All-American and 81 Big Ten champion wrestlers and 13 Big Ten championship teams. He also was a member of the Wolverine football coaching staff for 33 years and is the only coach in recent Michigan history to coach Big Ten champions in two sports, the university said. In addition to heading the Olympic team, Keen was named to the 1924 squad, but did not compete because of a broken wrist. He attended Oklahoma A&M, now Oklahoma State, and was a national champion in wrestling, a standout football player and a sprinter on the track team. The cause of death was not immediately available. Keen is survived by a son, James; a daughter, Joyce Novak; nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by his wife Mildred. Keen will be buried Friday at Washtenong Cemetery after services at Muehlig Funeral Chapel in Ann Arbor. Visitation was scheduled for 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday.
Tulsa World
Nov. 6, 1991
Tulsa World
Nov. 6, 1991
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