Robert Keister Football Scholarship

To encourage and support students involved in the Winona State University Football program.

Criteria

1. Each recipient must be in good standing at Winona State University
2. Each recipient must have full time status.
3. Each recipient must be an offensive or defensive lineman on the WSU football team.

Biography/Motivation

Robert Keister’s love for football began in his high school years in Mason City, Iowa. After high school, Bob attended and played football at Mason City Junior College in 1952, where he was named as All-Conference in Iowa. Keister then attended Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa, where he played football as center, defense end and tackle. In 1954, his college years were interrupted when he was drafted into the U.S. Army. After his discharge, Keister returned to Wartburg, where he played and assisted with football, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in 1958. Upon graduation from Wartburg, Bob signed his first fulltime football coaching and teaching assignment at Omaha South High in Omaha, Neb. In 1961, Bob was offered a graduate-assistant coaching job while studying for his master’s degree at WSU. He was also asked to take over the wrestling program. After completing his master’s in education in 1962, he was offered a fulltime teaching and coaching assignment. He was line coach in football and track coach, eventually advancing to head football and track coach. In football he led WSU to the All-Conference Championship in 1973, though a player eligibility technicality later voided this title. In 1975, Bob resigned as head football coach, but continued coaching track until 1991. He taught Health and Physical education until 1993, when he retired from WSU.