KeimTime was the Best of Times

September 10, 2025 Tim Morgan

I’m at a loss. Each of the several subjects I was considering this week have all faded to insignificance with this news. My oldest son’s backfield & special teams football coach passed away last Saturday. Jud Keim was one of those people you instantly liked. Outgoing, enthusiastic, positive, full of energy while also thoughtful, dedicated, empathetic. A wonderful, wonderful man.

Jud recruited my son, Kelly, to play at PLU. Kelly was being actively pursued by twenty-some schools. I was part of most of those meetings. PLU was one of the last schools we visited and afterwards, it was pretty evident to me, as it obviously was to Kelly, this was the best place to play football. PLU, with people like Jud, was a place where football was a competitive environment with a purpose – making men from boys. It was a crucible where you learned about life, about yourself, about your duty to contribute and be a servant warrior. That is, being someone who fights for what is right and serves others to execute that responsibility.

Those attributes follow you throughout life. Jud was one of the best at teaching those principles while understanding these were still young men who loved competition and having fun. He was able to mix the seriousness of the job with a dose of playfulness. That’s a special skill.

It’s hard not to become attached to your position coach, especially when he’s always rooting for you, driving for you to be better, celebrating victories and accomplishments, accepting challenges alongside you, being there. Those might well be Kelly’s words, but they’re not – they’re mine. I saw it from the sidelines, from observing what went on between them season after season.

Before kickoff to start the second half at Eau Claire, Wisconsin in 2013, Jud discusses with Kelly what he wants for a return.

I was privileged to be appointed an official athletic department photographer while Kelly was at PLU. Those sideline passes were an insider’s ticket to the game of collegiate sport. I have never so completely enjoyed myself.

Left – Jud poses at the 2013 post-season celebration with his backfield and special teams seniors; Right – giving a little mid-game encouragement.

Being able to play college sports is such a fantastic experience. Watching your sons participate is probably every sporting father’s dream. At least, it was for me. Being able to see the machinations, the conversations, the involvement of college sport up close like that was an added gift. Watching Jud interact with his players was part of that gift. He was special.