Northeastern University Athletics

J. Keith Motley, a native of Pittsburgh, has been elected to the Northeastern University Hall of Fame for his contribution as a player, coach and advocate of the basketball program.

Motley entered NU in 1973 after a storied career at Peabody High School in Pittsburgh. He immediately established himself as one of the toughest pivot men in New England. At 6'8, 230 pounds, he was a major defensive presence and a dominating guardian of the backboards. In his junior season he led the Huskies with 141 rebounds. Motley then grabbed 202 boards for a 7.8 per game average as a senior captain. The quintessential team player, Motley earned the team's Unsung Hero Award after his final season. During his four-year career (1973-77) the NU basketball program was emerging from College Division status as it slowly became a Division I program. Coach Jim Calhoun always considered that time the building years, as his teams won 50 and lost 50. Motley's association with the basketball team had only just begun, however.

Motley was also a student leader during his undergraduate days. He was the president of his fraternity and received the Director's Award from the African American Institute as the Most Outstanding Black Senior. Dean of Admissions and future NU President Jack Curry recognized Motley's leadership abilities and upon his graduation in 1978 hired him as an admissions counselor. Calhoun was only slightly behind Curry, adding Motley to his staff as a part-time assistant coach.

The returns for the basketball program were nearly instantaneous. Motley was the key to the "Pittsburgh Connection" as Northeastern began mining the deep well of basketball talent in the city. Pete Harris, Mark Halsel, and Eric Jefferson - Pittsburgh products all - followed Motley to Huntington Avenue and helped launch a decade of excellence that featured seven appearances in the NCAA Tournament. With hid loyalty and dedication to the program, Motley soon earned the title of associate head coach. In 1998, after 20 years of service on the sidelines, he retired from the Northeastern bench. It is safe to say that no one in NU's basketball history has influenced more players than Keith Motley. His official withdrawal from the bench coincided with his rise to president of the Courtside Club, where he will continue to advance the cause of NU basketball.

In the halls of the University's administration, Motley also has served long and well. He rose to Assistant Dean of Minority Affairs in 1982, Associate Dean and Director of the African American Institute in 1987, and finally to his current position of Dean of Student Services in 1993.