NHTI Athletic Hall of Fame
Determined! One word to describe our next inductee. Mel Keeler Crane was ONE determined athlete and, in this case, an outstanding softball player. Mel was most noteworthy for her pitching exploits at Concord High School, NHTI and then Southern NH University.
When Mel played at NHTI, we were in the process of upgrading and changing all of our schedules for athletics to make our programs more attractive for athletes to attend and play at NHTI.
For baseball and softball, we added one day tournaments in the fall, bringing in top NCAA teams from all over New England such as D-2 schools like Franklin Pierce and St. Anselm’s College as well as D-3 schools like Brandeis University and Plymouth State. The competition proved to add excitement and energy to the program attracting competitive players like Mel who used this exposure to help gain interest from D-2 & D-3 colleges.
Mel was a workhorse…often pitching both ends of a doubleheader like she did vs. rival Vermont Tech throwing a perfect game in game one and a two- hitter in game two while batting a perfect 4 for 4 with 4 RBI’s
She was the classic dominant pitcher in her day and I can tell you from past alumni games here at NHTI, she can still bring it. Mel was a great all-around player who exceled defensively, in the batters box and on the base paths. A dynamic athlete and role model for her teammates without a doubt.
An All-American at NHTI after earning Class L Player of the Year in NH at the high school level, Mel was the committed athlete for Coach Deb Smith who always came ready to work and play – striving to be the best she could be. This work ethic was “infectious” and helped the 2000 softball team create a team chemistry that Coach Smith called, “magical”.
With Mel’s leadership and the team’s motivation to do well the Capitals went on to defeat teams like Brandeis University, Franklin Pierce and St. Michael’s College. And Mel somehow found time to play on our NHTI volleyball team in the spring semester earning post season awards as well.
Mel’s “go to” pitch was her curveball. Curveball in and curveball out which left numerous batters mystified. The dangerous pitcher/catcher combination of Keeler and Young left opponents frustrated and often on the short end of the score. Winning all but 1 game in her stint here at NHTI, Mel broke many records and she would continue to do the same at Southern NH University where she has also been inducted in the athletic hall of fame.
Mel’s passion continues in the athletic arena today. She continues to play competitive sports in the greater Concord area and has shared this love for sports with her son Cooper. Like all great athletes, she loves the competitive arena, the associations with teammates and opponents – respecting all in the name of great sportsmanship.
Appreciative! She will always be recognized as a great athlete who appreciated her teammates, coaches, mentors and the opposition.
Mel is living in Concord and celebrating her induction tonight with her husband Marshall, son Cooper and family and friends.
On behalf of NHTI Athletics, let’s welcome Mel Keeler Crane on stage for her induction to the NHTI Athletic Hall of Fame.
