Head Baseball Coach Keith Veale was named Honorary Alumnus during Mount Vernon Nazarene's Homecoming Chapel on Nov. 10.
“The greatest descriptor about Keith is his example to his players and the MVNU community,” said Mike Cheek, executive director of Alumni Relations and Advancement, according to an MVNU press release. “He is a committed Christ follower and models Christlike leadership. He does not simply coach, but mentors his players."
The award is presented to MVNU faculty, staff, or friends who have been influential in the life of the university and have demonstrated a continuing interest in MVNU, according to an MVNU press release.
Veale came to MVNC in 1979 from John Wesley College in Michigan where he served as an assistant baseball coach. He has served as intramural director, resident director, women’s soccer coach, women’s softball coach, and athletic director during his 44 years at MVNU. His 34 years as head baseball coach gained him this recognition, according to an MVNU press release.
He has won more than 1,100 games, 10 conference titles, five National Christian College Athletic Association national championships and led the Cougars to two berths in the NAIA World Series in 1997 and 2004 said an MVNU press release. The NCCAA selected him as National Coach of the Year six times and Conference Coach of the Year nine times. He was named the NAIA Region Coach of the Year in 1996, 1997, and 2007. He also had 14 players sign professional baseball contracts.
