Keebler’s passion for Miami University Intercollegiate Athletics

Will and Mary Lee Keebler’s passion for Miami University Intercollegiate Athletics is apparent to those who regularly attend football, basketball, hockey games and other athletic events.  Not only are they ever present at home games, they frequently attend away games as well.  This is not a new area of interest for Will and Mary Lee, Miami University and athletics have been a major part of their lives for over six decades.

Will came to Miami University from Springfield, Ohio on a full four-year football scholarship that paid $8.00 a year and provided $100 for expenses.  Unbeknownst to him at the time, this was the beginning of a long relationship to Miami University and the Oxford community.  As a student he was a sports writer for the Miami Student and the Recensio.  He was involved in intramural sports as well and was a member of Phi Eta Sigma and Phi Beta Kappa.  As was the case for many students at the time, Will’s education was interrupted by the war while he served in the United States Navy.  He completed his B.S. in Business in 1946 and went on to receive his MBA in 1947 from Harvard University.

Throughout his life, Will spent most of his career affiliated with Miami University and the Western College for Women.  He taught accounting in 1947-51, and then worked as treasurer for a trucking company.  He joined the Western administration in 1956 and was the business manager for the college until it, and he, became part of Miami University in 1974.  Will retired from Miami University in 1986 as the Assistant Vice President for Finance and Business Services.  He currently holds the title of Administrator Emeritus and is active in the Society of Miami Emeriti along with his wife Mary Lee.

Will met his future wife in front of Lewis Place.  Mary Lee Bales was an Alpha Chi Omega on campus.  They would go on to wed and have three children, Richard, David, and Deborah (Davidson). 

Mary Lee and Will reside at the Knolls of Oxford and enjoy playing bridge, traveling, staying active in the Oxford community.  Their long attachment to Miami University and their passion for athletics inspired the Keeblers to establish a charitable gift annuity with the Miami University Foundation.  The gift will be used to support scholarships for deserving students participating in intercollegiate athletics.

Miami University is very grateful to Will and Mary Lee, as well as others like them, who have chosen to provide support to Miami University through a planned gift!