Richard Keys has been named the Chapter 2 Athletic Director of the Year by the New York State Athletic Administrators Association.
Keys, who is the director of health, physical education and athletics at Queensbury Union Free School District, accepted the award at the Roy O’Neill Awards Banquet March 14 at the Saratoga Hilton.
The Athletic Director of the Year award is given to a member from each chapter of the NYSAAA who has made an outstanding contribution to athletics over the years and who has shown evidence of dedication to athletics through the activities of the New York State Athletic Administrators Association.
Keys accepted the award on behalf of the Queensbury Union Free School District.
“It’s always an honor to be recognized within your profession," Keys said. "Like many professions, it takes a village, and I was proud to accept this recognition on behalf of the entire Queensbury Union Free School District.”
He attributed his success to the people he works with and the support of the Queensbury Board of Education, coaches, teachers, students, administrators and staff at Queensbury.
Keys began his career in 1995 as a physical education teacher at the Hadley-Luzerne Central School District. The 1993 SUNY Cortland grad coached varsity wrestling, varsity tennis, varsity softball and JV baseball. He served as their AD from 1998-2005.
In 2006, Keys became the assistant principal at Queensbury Middle School, and the principal in 2012. He has been Queensbury’s director of physical education, health and athletics since 2015.
As an athletics administrator, Keys has been active in the New York State Public High School Athletic Association and Section 2 athletics. He was also named the 2023 Capital Area School Development Association (CASDA) Athletic Director of the Year.