By Justin Feil, The Packet Group
When Fred Keiper was inducted into the Hillsborough High School Hall of Fame last spring, he did not come to the ceremony.
Coach “Keip” was never one to draw attention to himself. He did not live for recognition, but his contributions to the Hillsborough community are immeasurable and undeniable.
”He was the opposite of a ‘me’ guy,” said former Hillsborough High School football coach Rick Mantz. “He was a ‘we’ guy. We’d have a big win, and he would be sneaking out the door. We used to call him ‘The Shadow.’”
Keiper passed away in the same fashion, quietly on Oct. 20, 2013, after a long battle with cancer. His funeral arrangements were private per his wishes.
”Fred was a very private guy,” said Bob Zwirko, who coached freshman and JV football with Keiper for years. “He didn’t communicate much. I did visit him. He was low key.
”That was his M.O. He was a great guy. He’d do anything to help you. He kept his private life private.”
But for any of his students at Amsterdam School, where he retired from teaching health and physical education in Aug. 2012, after 43 years, Keiper would extend himself to help them develop.
”We’ve had some wonderful mentors,” said Jim McFarland, the Hillsborough strength and conditioning coach who worked with Keiper over the last eight years with a program for fifth and sixth graders from Auten Road Intermediate School. “We lost one with Fred.”
Keiper was a football coach for 29 years, and he coached track and field for 20 years, five as a head coach of the HHS boys team. In three of those years when he was head track coach, the Raider boys did not lose a meet.
”He was a nice guy,” said HHS girls track and field head coach Rich Refi. “He was really patient with the kids. He cared for them a lot.”
McFarland knew first-hand what an influence Keiper could have. He had nudged McFarland into competing as a masters weightlifter and he trained him two years ago. Keiper was even more devoted to his younger students.
”He was a mentor coach,” McFarland said. “If there was a kid in need, he would work with them. He would do everything he could to help the kids along.”
McFarland went to one of Keiper’s phys ed classes to observe him, and was blown away by his organization and his ability to inspire young students.
”He was all about giving the kids exposure and any opportunity to be successful,” McFarland said. “He probably had 10-15 stations set up. Those kids rotated around, elementary school kids, and they were spotting each other as well as any of my high school kids. It was completely awesome. He put in a lot of time and cared a lot.
”He was about teaching the kids. In today’s day, it’s about maximum participation. Fred tried to do that as much as possible, but he also knew they had to appreciate what they were doing. If they don’t appreciate it, they’re not going to get the maximum benefit out of it.”
Dr. Avery Faigenbaum is a professor in The College of New Jersey’s Department of Health and Exercise Science. He has been conducting research on his area of expertise, pediatric exercise science, in Hillsborough schools, and he marveled at Keiper’s expertise.
”Fred is who I call a master teacher,” Faigenbaum said. “Not only did he work with kids in first and 12th grades, not only did he work with the athletes, I saw him give as much attention to a 10-year-old who was kind of clumsy as a stud 17-year-old athlete. He genuinely cared about the children in his program.”
Faigenbaum was impressed with Keiper’s experience and subsequent knowledge, and his ability to transfer it to his classes and athletes. He could walk in a weight room and know just what every student needed and how he could be helped. Faigenbaum nicknamed him “Legend” for all that he knew and could pass along.
”Guys like Fred and other track coaches I meet, they’re usually 10 years ahead of the researchers,” Faigenbaum said. “There are coaches like Fred who are willing to experiment and learn from their mistakes.”
Keiper was an author for a 2007 article in the “Journal of Sports Science and Medicine” on medicine ball training. He helped to run a program with McFarland for intermediate school children twice per week.
”Fred was an old-school guy but progressive in his teaching and coaching,” McFarland said. “Fred worked with myself in advancing through U.S. Weightlifting certifications to Senior Level coach, which is pretty much the highest level you can be.”
Keiper may have been old-school, but he had a Facebook account, which lately has been filled with touching thoughts from former students and colleagues. He also was active on Twitter.
”The way he handled the kids, he was great with the kids,” Zwirko said. “He was a players’ coach. He handled the players well and really cared about them. The kids responded to that. He was a low-key guy, and real mellow. The kids always wanted to please him and do their best for him.”
Keiper was in an interesting position as an elementary school teacher and a high school coach. He would see former students every year, now growing up and developing athletically.
”He would always mention that,” Zwirko said. “Kids that went through his elementary school, he’d have a special bond with him. The kids really liked him.”
So did those that worked with him, who are now mourning the loss of a positive influence and devoted teacher.
”He was a supportive colleague,” said Laura Wynkoop, a physical education teacher at Hillsborough’s Sunnymead Elementary School. “He is a very private individual, but when you work with him everyday you couldn’t help but notice how he cared immensely about the well-being of the students.
”He was proud of his own children and thought about them every day. He spoke highly of their accomplishments as they grew throughout the years. His words were few but the words he spoke had great value and worth. Fred left his mark on many and will always have a special place in my heart.”
John Vitale has worked in the strength and conditioning program with Keiper in recent years.
”Fred Keiper or Coach Keip was the epitome Hillsborough pride, discipline and respect,” Vitale said. “Coach Keiper used the ‘tough love’ method of coaching which has been lost over the years. He held high expectations of his athletes. He was consistent until the day he stopped coaching. I am thankful for getting to know him as a coach and colleague, as much of who I am today is because of Fred Keip.”
Added McFarland: “There are some eighth graders here that were asking about him this summer. The last time they had him was two years prior. To have a kid that age ask about a coach they had two years prior is pretty incredible.”
Keiper could inspire in whatever coaching capacity he served. Mantz played football for Keiper as a student at Hillsborough High, then had the chance to work with him when he returned to coach the Raiders varsity. Keiper was a perfect starting point for building the high school program. He worked diligently with the freshmen.
”That’s where he excelled,” Mantz said. “He really had patience. He had an even demeanor. He never got too high or low. With the freshmen, you need that patience. He understood fundamentals.
”He was very understated. He didn’t have to make a big deal, he got his point across and he did a tremendous job of it. Coach Keip became a cult figure. He made you feel good. He was low key. He never said a lot. Once in a while, when he did convey a message, it was very poignant and very well received. He didn’t throw words around.”
Keiper is being remembered for his selfless actions, his reserved demeanor and quiet influence over four decades in Hillsborough.
”He affected a lot of lives,” Mantz said. “He did a great job with the track team. He understood everybody.
”He could be demanding, but everyone respected him. Usually people either respect you or like you. Fred had a unique quality in that everyone liked him and respected him.”
Keiper only stopped coaching when he became too ill. McFarland wishes that he had had the chance to coach in his retirement years as he wanted to. Keiper loved the chance to coach, and enjoyed every chance he had at it.
”He never left the room without saying, ‘Thank you,’” McFarland said. “It was like, thanks for what? It was the opportunity to be here. He was thankful for the opportunity.”
Fred Keiper never wanted the attention. With his passing, though, there are plenty of Hillsborough students and colleagues who are pausing to say thanks for the dedication and care of Coach Keip.
”Coach Keiper loved working with the athletes. It was his passion,” said HHS athletic director Michael Fanizzi. “After his coaching years had passed, he continued to work with the high school athletes in our weight room until he was too sick to continue. Coach Keiper impacted many lives, both young and old. He will be truly missed by the athletes and alumnae of the Hillsborough High School Athletic Department.”
