Hall of Fame
Spencer Keyes earned letters in football, basketball, baseball, and track and field. His most notable achievements took place on the gridiron. Keyes led the Shippensburg football team to 20 straight wins during the 1951-54 seasons and he was co-captain of the 1954 squad.
As a sophomore, in 1952, Keyes was a starter as the Raiders registered their first undefeated and untied season in modern time, compiling a 7-0 record.
The following season Shippensburg won all its games again, going 8-0 and extending their winning streak to 17 games. Keyes was the leading rusher and scorer on the squad with 66 carries for 588 yards and nine touchdowns. He passed for two more touchdowns and also set the school record for most kick returns for touchdowns scoring on two punts and one kickoff.
In 1953 the Raiders became the only college to lead the nation in total defense, rushing defense, and passing defense in the same season.
Keyes was slowed by injuries in 1954 but still turned in several brilliant performances. In the season opener against New Haven State (now Southern Connecticut), he made the rare achievement of returning a kickoff and a punt for touchdowns in the same game.
Shippensburg’s 20 game winning streak came to an end in a 13-7 upset at the hands of California (Pa.). Keyes was on the sidelines with an injury.
In other sports, Keyes played JV basketball in 1952 and earned varsity letters in 1953, 1954, and 1955. He lettered in varsity baseball from 1952-54 and track in 1955. The baseball team won the conference title in 1954. In 1955 he was the conference champion in the 100 yard dash.
After graduating, Keyes became the Administrator of the Division of Civil Rights and International Relations for the New York Education Department.
