Annual event brings Wildcats back together for a weekend in Evanston
Joe Keenan is in his 24th year as a Wildcat coach. As a volunteer assistant, Keenan works mainly with the catchers and outfielders. Since Keenan joined the staff in 1988, seven of his Wildcat catchers have been drafted -- Tom Dodge (Angels; 1990), Joe Perona (Tigers; 1991), Brett Wyngarden (Astros; 1992), Brian Fuller (Tigers; 1995), Joe Hietpas (Mets; 2001), Dan Pohlman (Diamondbacks; 2004) and Chad Noble (Cubs, 2010). An eighth, Doug Murray, was signed by Houston as a free agent in 1996.
Keenan was a standout catcher for three years at Notre Dame (1968-70), earning team MVP honors his final year. He was later named the Chicago College Player of the Year by the Old Timers Baseball Association.
A Park Ridge, Ill., native, Keenan graduated from Notre Dame in 1970 with a bachelor's degree in communication arts. He spent two years (1971-72) in the Cleveland Indians' minor league system.
Keenan, 60, returned to school to earn his juris doctorate, graduating from DePaul University in 1977. He and his wife, Sally, have two children: Katharine, 22, and Joseph, 21.