CLEVELAND – Cleveland State Head Men's Lacrosse Coach, Andy German, has announced the addition of Trey Keeley to the staff as an assistant coach. Keeley replaces Matthew Bertrams who recently accepted the head coach position at St. Edward High School in Lakewood, Ohio.
"I am thrilled to welcome Trey, Katrina and Remy to the Viking lacrosse family," said German. "I have known Trey for years and always admired the job he did as an assistant coach at Ohio Wesleyan, as well as the last few years as head coach at Baldwin Wallace. He brings a wealth of experience to our program and will be a huge asset for our student-athletes as we compete for an ASUN championship this spring."
Keeley comes to Cleveland State after most recently serving as the head men's lacrosse coach at Baldwin Wallace University from 2017-21 where he oversaw all facets of the lacrosse program including budget management, scheduling and executing recruiting strategies, among other duties. Over his four seasons in Berea, Ohio, Keeley accumulated a 42-14 record, which included two championship appearances and a 2021 Ohio Athletic Conference title.
"The opportunity to work with a great person and coach, like Andy German, is something I couldn't pass up and I am humbled and grateful to learn and grow under the leadership of Scott Garrett and Tyler Jones," Keely said. "The vision Coach German and the administration have for the future of lacrosse is inspiring and I look forward to getting to work right away. My family and I love Cleveland we cannot wait to get to know the student-athletes and Cleveland State community. I'm excited to get to work, as we prepare for the program's first-ever run in the ASUN this spring."
Named the 2021 OAC Coach of the Year, Keeley coached 11 All-OAC Players and the 2021 OAC Rookie of the Year, Jake Nanosky, last season. The Yellow Jackets received votes in the USILA Top 20 for four weeks during the 2021 campaign, finishing No. 3 in the NCAA Regional IV rankings.
All together, Keeley has coached 37 All-OAC selections throughout his four years at BW, including 15 Academic All-OAC student-athletes and three IMLCA All-Region selections. In 2019, Keeley's Yellow Jackets led all of NCAA Division III men's lacrosse programs in shooting percentage (40.1%) and ranked fourth in scoring offense (18.18 gpg) and 25th in man up efficiency (40.4%).
"I am forever grateful to Baldwin Wallace for the opportunity to serve the university as its men's lacrosse head coach," said Keeley. "I'm confident the program is primed to be a favorite in the OAC moving forward and I can't wait to watch the success of some of the amazing men they have both on and off the field. I can't thank the players, coaches, alumni and their families enough for allowing me to be part of their lives these past four years. There are so many relationships and lessons that I'll carry with me forever."
Under Keeley's guidance, Baldwin Wallace earned its first-ever conference championship appearance and first playoff victory in 2018. The newest member of the Green and White facilitated a fundraiser that earned over $4,500 for breast cancer research at the Cleveland Clinic, while serving as head coach at BW.
Prior to his time at Baldwin Wallace, Keeley served as the associate head men's lacrosse coach at Ohio Wesleyan University from 2014-17 where he coordinated the team's offense and transition philosophy, creating an offensive identity for the program. Keeley, who coached alongside 2015 NCAC Coach of the Year, Mike Plantholt, assisted the Battling Bishops in achieving their most wins in program history during the 2015 season, winning 18 straight games and finishing with an 18-1 record.
"In my 20-plus years of coaching, I've been lucky to work with many outstanding people, both head coaches and assistant coaches," said Mike Plantholt, head men's lacrosse coach at Ohio Wesleyan University. "Trey ranks among the best of them all. He is enthusiastic, knowledgeable, a tireless recruiter and - most importantly - a truly great person who young men can look up to. The biggest question I ask myself when evaluating coaches is 'would I send my own kids to play for that person?' With Trey, I'd send my sons to play for him in a heartbeat. This is an underrated hire and Cleveland State just hit the jackpot."
Keeley received his first collegiate coaching opportunity in 2012 as the assistant men's lacrosse coach at Frostbrug State University, serving in that role for two years.
A 2011 graduate of Roanoke College, Keeley suited up for the Maroons for four seasons, appearing in three NCAA tournaments (2009, 2010, 2011), including the 2011 Final Four. A two-time USILA All-American selection, Keeley finished his collegiate playing career with 149 points and 60% face off wins (55/91).
The Lancaster, Pennsylvania, native earned a Master of Business Administration in 2014 from Frostburg State.
"Everywhere Coach Keeley has gone, success has followed," German said. "I look forward to working with him to achieve our goals as a program, and as a department, of providing our student-athletes a transformational experience and becoming champions in the classroom, in competition and in our community."
Season ticket deposits for the program's first-ever campaign as a member of the ASUN can be placed now. To place your deposit for the 2022 season, click HERE or call the ticket office at 216-687-4848.