Queensbury’s Athletic Director Richard Keys received the Excelsior Award by the School Administrators Association of New York State for his enduring commitment to public education and students.
Keys, who has been Queensbury Union Free School District’s director of health, physical education and athletics since 2015, accepted the award at the SAANYS Region 6 Leadership Breakfast at The Vista at Van Patten Golf Club in Clifton Park on May 13.
Twelve Queensbury students were also honored as Region 6 Leadership Award Winners. Those students include Finley Magee, Kiernan Davidson, Linnea Fingland, Trent Cosh, Rider Lee, Malcolm Scherer, Shiv Patel, Liam Kotulak, Aidan Scott, Hazel Wood, Kylie Ramsey and Ella Bolduc.
Each year, the SAANYS Region 6 board holds its annual Leadership Breakfast to recognize leadership in all of its forms in local schools. The event recognizes student leaders in grades 5-12, senior scholarship winners and leaders in administration.
“Mr. Keys personally delivers a tremendous amount of effort for every sport at every level,” said Queensbury Superintendent of Schools Kyle Gannon, who introduced the honoree. “Rich Keys is the heart and soul of Queensbury. He truly bleeds the colors Blue and Gold.”
Keys began his career in 1995 as a teacher and coach at Hadley-Luzerne Central School District. He joined Queensbury 18 years ago as an assistant principal and then principal for Queensbury Middle School. He also serves as vice president of Section 2. And this year, he coached the Queensbury modified wrestling team.
Gannon said he often receives late-night text messages or phone calls from Keys with updates on Queensbury athletics.
“He will take me through a game-winning hit, a pin, a field hockey goal, or a loss — and how our student-athletes showed strong character,” Gannon said. “Rich is the first one to go over to a crowd to handle a tough situation. He truly believes in exhibiting good behavior and being a good role model.”
In accepting the award, Keys said he loves working at a school district and with colleagues focused on putting the students first.
“I think when we put our community first, our community thrives,” said Keys, who was emotional during his speech as he talked about his love of Queensbury and his family.
Keys lives in Queensbury with his wife, Rachel, and they have four children, Courtney, Taylor, Mackenna and Colin. Keys quoted his wife, who told him to “treat those kids as if they were your own.”
“I’m tough on my kids. And I can be tough on our kids too,” Keys said. “But … when they’re great, you celebrate, and when they’re down, you love them. I don’t think you can go wrong if you treat them like they’re your own.”
Keys quoted American poet Maya Angelou, who said, “I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
“I feel blessed for having worked with such amazing professionals and amazing kids,” Keys said, “and I’m very appreciative of this recognition.”