Web Release
QUEENS, N.Y. (Jan. 1, 2023) – St. John’s University mourns the loss of former men’s basketball standout and alumnus Mike Keilty, who has passed away on Thursday at the age of 71.
Keilty, a product of Trinity High School in Woodside, played three varsity seasons (1969-72) with St. John’s, one under Lou Carnesecca and two with Frank Mulzoff, his freshman coach in 1968-69. The Johnnies’ guard helped the team to 58 victories during his tenure, including the program’s 1,000th win on Feb. 20, 1971 against Temple at Alumni Hall.
The former Johnnie made 74 appearances during his time in Queens, accumulating 314 career points and 142 rebounds. Keilty also dished out over 100 assists in his final campaign (1971-72), complementing the play of teammates Mel Davis and Billy Schaeffer that same season. Defensively, Keilty was a hard nosed player who usually drew the assignment of playing against the opponent’s top guards.
Keilty continued to be aligned with the men’s basketball program after his playing days. He also shared a common bond with current assistant coach Greg Vetrone having both competed for the same Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) basketball program at St. Sebastian in Woodside.
After college, Keilty enjoyed a successful career with British Telecom and rose to a senior executive with the company.
Keilty resided in Plainview, N.Y., with his wife Lorraine where they raised four children. The couple has nine grandchildren.
A wake will be held on Tues., Jan. 3 and Wed., Jan. 4, at Dalton’s Funeral Home in Hicksville from 4-8 p.m. The funeral mass will be held on Thurs., Jan. 5 at 9:45 a.m. at St. Edwards the Confessor in Syosset.
QUEENS, N.Y. (Jan. 1, 2023) – St. John’s University mourns the loss of former men’s basketball standout and alumnus Mike Keilty, who has passed away on Thursday at the age of 71.
Keilty, a product of Trinity High School in Woodside, played three varsity seasons (1969-72) with St. John’s, one under Lou Carnesecca and two with Frank Mulzoff, his freshman coach in 1968-69. The Johnnies’ guard helped the team to 58 victories during his tenure, including the program’s 1,000th win on Feb. 20, 1971 against Temple at Alumni Hall.
The former Johnnie made 74 appearances during his time in Queens, accumulating 314 career points and 142 rebounds. Keilty also dished out over 100 assists in his final campaign (1971-72), complementing the play of teammates Mel Davis and Billy Schaeffer that same season. Defensively, Keilty was a hard nosed player who usually drew the assignment of playing against the opponent’s top guards.
Keilty continued to be aligned with the men’s basketball program after his playing days. He also shared a common bond with current assistant coach Greg Vetrone having both competed for the same Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) basketball program at St. Sebastian in Woodside.
After college, Keilty enjoyed a successful career with British Telecom and rose to a senior executive with the company.
Keilty resided in Plainview, N.Y., with his wife Lorraine where they raised four children. The couple has nine grandchildren.
A wake will be held on Tues., Jan. 3 and Wed., Jan. 4, at Dalton’s Funeral Home in Hicksville from 4-8 p.m. The funeral mass will be held on Thurs., Jan. 5 at 9:45 a.m. at St. Edwards the Confessor in Syosset.
