Malibu Coach Receives National Recognition for Sportsmanship

At Camp Kilpatrick juvenile detention center in the Santa Monica Mountains just outside the Malibu city limits, playing for the basketball team is a privilege. Head coach Kurt Keller works every day to teach the young men on his team about sportsmanship. He was recognized for this effort Saturday night in St. Louis, MO, at the 12th annual National Sportsmanship Awards.

Fifteen others from throughout the nation were recognized along with Keller during the ceremony at the Edward Jones Auditorium. The ceremony was hosted by the St. Louis Sports Commission and the Citizenship Through Sports Alliance, which honors athletes, coaches and teams exemplifying the best in sportsmanship throughout the year. 

Keller's team came into the spotlight last year when it won the Division 6A championship and advanced to the playoffs. The season ended in disappointment when the squad was disqualified due to the inadvertent use of an ineligible player.

“I was a little bit nervous because you never know how the media will spin things,” Keller said. “But the L.A. Times had been following us all along the way, and decided to continue to support us and to take the opportunity to showcase the respectfulness and good sportsmanship of our players. Eventually, Sports Illustrated picked up the story.”

Keller credited his award to the members of his team.

“The kids love the game, and they want to succeed," Keller said. "And we have good leaders on our team who are great role models. And this group wants to be respected on the court and respected in life.

He added, “I like working with the kids and I love basketball. If you give them something to believe in, they can succeed.”