High school athletics often provide the opportunity for student-athletes to attend college. A small percentage of fortunate collegiate athletes carry their athletic talent to the professional level of play. The lessons and life experiences gained from playing a sport beyond high school and college are priceless. After those days end, former athletes transition into lives in which they carry the memories and hopefully the lessons that sports afford. Since it is baseball season, it’s fitting to feature a local Columbus resident who knows what it is to live the life of an athlete at three different levels of play.
Keith Seifert, Chief Academic Officer with the Muscogee County School District, played baseball in high school and at Columbus College (now Columbus State University). He was drafted by the Cleveland Indians organization and played three seasons of professional baseball before becoming an employee of the MCSD. Seifert was inducted into the CSU Athletic Hall of Fame in 2003. In this feature, he shares highlights of his sports career and the value he places on being among the few who had the chance to pursue such a dream.
In the Game: Where did you attend high school?
Keith Seifert: Newnan High School.
ITG: What sports did you play?
KS: Just baseball.
ITG: What position(s) did you play?
KS: Mainly pitcher and catcher in high school.
ITG: You attended Columbus College (now Columbus State University) and played baseball for the Cougars. Did you receive an athletic scholarship?
KS: I initially walked on as a pitcher at Dekalb Community College—South Campus (Junior College) in 1981. I was redshirted my first year due to injury. Next year, our coach changed my position to catcher; I became starting catcher for the next two years. I was then put on scholarship during the rest of my years there; I signed to a full baseball scholarship by Charlie Ragsdale at Columbus College.
ITG: You played professional baseball with the Cleveland Indians organization. Were you drafted out of college?
KS: Yes, I was drafted in the 24th round in the June 1986 draft. I was also drafted by the Montreal Expos in the January 1984 winter draft, but decided to remain in school.
ITG: For the seasons you were with Cleveland, where did you play, and were those seasons memorable?
KS: I can say every year was a memorable one. Just having the opportunity to play with and against major league prospects at that level was something you can never forget. Being named the Midwest League Player of the Week during the 1987 season and winning the Carolina League Championship during the 1988 season were tremendous experiences. However, meeting my wife was definitely the most memorable.
*Summer of 1986-Played the short season in the New York-Penn League with Batavia Trojans.
*1987-Spring training in Tucson, Arizona; was assigned to Waterloo Indians of the Midwest League.
*1988-Spring training in Tucson, Arizona; was assigned back to Waterloo Indians of the Midwest League. In July, I moved up to the Kinston Indians of the Carolina League.
ITG: Is Kinston, North Carolina, where you met your wife, Dana?
KS: Yes.
ITG: When you retired from professional baseball, what led you back to Columbus and eventually to the job you now have with the Muscogee County School District?
KS: After leaving the game, I began working construction with Dana’s father in Kinston. Really appreciated the opportunity. He took me under his wing and taught me skills I still use today. While this occupation was very rewarding, I had the chance to return to Columbus College and continue my education and get back into the game — I missed it. Coach Mann offered me a graduate assistant position: coaching college baseball and teaching in the Health and Physical Education Department while earning my M.Ed. in Administration and Supervision. Couldn’t pass that opportunity up. After completing my two-year graduate assistantship, I began applying for small college coaching positions; that did not materialize. A teaching and coaching position opened at Hardaway High School. Charlie Ragsdale called Roger Hatcher about the position, and I was offered the job (This was after I just completed my administrative internship at HHS as part of my master’s degree requirements.). Began my tenure at Hardaway in August of 1991. During my first year, David Jackson, assistant principal, was hired in the MCSD HR department. Mr. Hatcher recommended me to fill the position on an interim basis. In 1993, Mr. Hatcher recommended me for an assistant principal position, for which I served six years before becoming principal of Hardaway in 1999. Served as principal of Hardaway until August of 2005, when I became the MCSD Director of Secondary Education. In July 2015, I was recommended by Dr. Lewis and named the Chief Academic Officer for the district. I am extremely proud to be a part of the MCSD for the last 25 years. Awesome experience.
ITG: As a former high school, college, and professional athlete, what are some of the things you have learned from participating in sports that helped prepare you for your life as an educator and administrator?
KS: Self-motivation, discipline, goal-setting, emotional control, mental focus, positive attitude, and dealing effectively with people are skills I have used every day throughout my career as an educator. Probably the most important skill is effectively managing people. It’s all about relationship building. Coaching is about relationships. I know this is something I do on a daily basis. I’m a firm believer in promoting “we” instead of “me”.
ITG: What advice would you give a high school athlete who is considering playing sports at the next level?
KS: Don’t think your talent alone will carry you to the next level. There is no shortcut in playing or competing at the collegiate or professional level. This applies to both athletics and your potential career. You have to perfect your skills as a player. Study and know every aspect of your position and the sport you compete in, understand how your attitude and work ethic impacts the team, and ensure you are physically and emotionally prepared to perform at an optimum level. Above all, believe and have confidence in yourself.
Personal bio:
Name: Keith M. Seifert
Job title: Chief Academic Officer, Muscogee County School District
Hometown: Born in Springfield, Mass.; lived in Miami, Fla., and Newnan, Ga.
Education (high school, colleges, and degrees):
Ed. S. School Administration and Supervision, 1997
Troy State University, Phoenix City, Ala.
- Ed. School Administration and Supervision, 1991
Columbus State University, Columbus, Ga.
B.S. Ed. Health and Physical Education, 1988
Columbus State University, Columbus, Ga.
Dekalb Community College—South Campus, Decatur, Ga. 1981-1984
High School Diploma, 1981
Newnan High School, Newnan, Ga.
Family: Wife, Dana; two daughters, Haley and Devyn
Athletic Accomplishments:
Named to Who’s Who among American Junior Colleges
MVP —Dekalb Community College Baseball (1983, ’84)
MVP—Columbus College Baseball (1985,’86)
Named Division II First Team All-American Catcher –1986
Columbus College Division II World Series Runner-Up—1986
Columbus College Athlete of the Year—1986
WRCG Athlete of the Year—1986
Midwest league Player of the week—Waterloo Indians 1987
Carolina League Champions—1988
Named to Columbus State University’s Athletic Hall of Fame 2003
Professional accomplishments:
Health and Physical Education Teacher, 1991-94
Assistant Principal, Hardaway High School, 1994-1999
Principal, Hardaway High School, 1999-2005
Director, Secondary Education, MCSD, 2005-2014
Executive Director, k-12 Curriculum and Instruction, MCSD, 2014-July 2015
Chief Academic Officer, MCSD, July 2015-Present
Hobbies or favorite pastimes: Handyman projects; golfing and fishing when I have time.
Person you most admire: Historically, I would say Abraham Lincoln – a man who stood tall during a time of so much turmoil. I would also say throughout my life, my father, Louis “Cy” Seifert, has been someone I admired. He is a humble, hardworking man who served his country for 20-plus years in the Army and Air Force.
Best thing about your current job/position: Working with dedicated educators who truly believe they can make a difference in students’ lives. Ultimately, I take pride in knowing I’m part of an organization that strives to successfully impact students’ lives.
Columbus Valley/Ten questions/April 2016
Keith Seifert
Columbus, Georgia
By Beth Welch
