THE SENIOR COACH/CLUB DIRECTOR
Joe Keller has served as the NASA and Northridge High School swimming and diving Head Coach since July 1991. Coach Keller graduated from Ball State University in May 1991 where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education with a supporting area in United States History.
Upon graduation, he attended Indiana University at Pennsylvania to increase his aquatics background. At IUP, he received the following certifications: WSI, Lifeguard Instructor, CPR and First Aid Instructor, Pool Operator on Location License and AAPHERD’s Aquatic Facility Management Certification.
Recruited to Ball State from Petersburg, Indiana, Coach Keller was a Mid-American Conference qualifier all four years in the 100 and 200 yard breaststroke. Upon graduating, he ranked 10th and 5th respectively on Ball State’s top 10 all-time list. He was honored with the Most Improved Swimmer Award his sophomore year and the Senior Award, BSU’s highest swimming award, his final year.
Academically, Coach Keller was a member of Alpha Lambda Delta National Honor Society, was on the Dean’s list seven of eight semesters and received the swim teams Top Scholar/Athlete Academic Award his senior year.
In May 2001, he completed his Master of Science degree in Education at Indiana University, South Bend.
At Northridge, his responsibilities other than coaching include teaching Physical Education, Lifeguard Training and the Elementary School learn to swim program. He also serves as the Aquatics Director and Physical Education Department Chairperson. Coaching awards include being named Conference and Sectional Coach of the Year, Central Zone Team Coach, Indiana Swimming Olympic Training Center Camp Coach, Ball State University Alumni 2003 Girls Swimming Coach of the Year and 2005/2008 Boys Swimming Coach of the Year, 2005 Indiana High School Boys State Coach of the Year, Indiana Swimming Coaches Association 2003 and 2005 Outstanding Senior Coach, and serving as a State Diving Judge. Coach Keller is a Level 4 certified ASCA coach and is currently working towards his Level 5 certification. Upon completion, he will rank in the top 3% of American Swimming Coaches. In addition, Coach Keller has served on various committees within Indiana Swimming’s structure.
Coach Keller is married to Patti and they have three children: Philip, Kristopher and Timothy.
HEAD AGE GROUP COACH
William H. Spilman was born in South Bend and raised in Osceola. He was a competitive swimmer from 5 years old into adulthood. A 1980 graduate of Penn High School, he went on to obtain a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology in 1984 from Indiana State University. He has been employed since 1997 as an Emergency Services Counselor at Oaklawn Psychiatric Center in Goshen. He has served two seasons as an assistant swim coach. Once for the South Bend Dolphins and once for the Goshen Gators. In 1986, he became Head Coach for the Penn Swim Club, where he served 6 years. He was also the Head Swim Coach at Northwood High School for 1 year during this time, and, achieved a level II certification from the American Swimming Coaches Association. Bill began as an assistant coach with NASA in the fall of 1995 when his oldest daughter joined the team. He has continued with NASA to this date, with the exception of 3 seasons, and now serves as Co-Head Age Group Coach. During his tenure with NASA, he has been instrumental in administrative areas and has developed further through educational opportunities. He has led the team to 2-consecutive Top 10 state finishes during the summer of 2005 and 2006, coached 1 state meet high-point winner, and coached numerous state, zone, and Top 16 qualifiers. He has coached for Team Indiana at a Catch the Spirit Camp, Zone Championships, Mid-States Quad Championships and was nominated for the 2005 summer age group coach of the year. Married in 1986, Bill and wife Melissa have two daughters born in 1990 and 1993.
Rhonda C. Thomas was born and raised in Elkhart, IN. At a very young age, she joined the Concord Swim Club and swam through her college years. She attended Concord High School, and swam for Jane Coudret, (her still most valued mentor). Before graduating in 1999, she won the sectional title in the 100 yard backstroke her junior year, and qualified for the state meet. Her senior year, her team won the Northern Lakes Conference, and her medley relay set the Conference record. She is still ranked in Concord's Top 10 in the 200 Medley Relay, 200 Yard IM, 100 Yard Backstroke, and 400 Freestyle Relay. Coach Thomas was honored to receive the All-Around winner 3 of her 4 years, and her senior year she was honored with the Mental Attitude Award, and Honorary Captain award. Coach Thomas attended Western Illinois University, in Macomb, IL, and studied Law Enforcement and Justice Administration. During her swimming career at WIU, she swam the 100 Yard Backstroke, 200 Yard Backstroke, the 1650 Freestyle, and the 400 Yard IM. Her senior year she won the 200 Yard Backstroke at the Midwest Championships. She is still ranked in the Top 10 at WIU in the 100 and 200 Yard Backstroke, and in the 200 and 400 Yard Medley Relay.
After college, Coach Thomas returned to the program she owes a lot of her success to. She became Concord High School's Assistant Swim Coach in 2003 and coached there for the past 5 years. Throughout those years, she was able also to give back to the club. She served as an Assistant Coach for the swim club during the summers in her college years as well as after.
Coach Thomas has attended the Level 2 American Swimming Coaches Association Stroke School, and looks forward to completing that certification. She is also Lifeguard trained, as well as holding a Water Safety Instructor license. Coach Thomas has taught swim lessons according to the American Red Cross Learn to Swim program since she was 15 years old.
She brings a very enthusiastic approach to swimming, not only wanting to give back what the sport has given to her, but also wanting the athletes to have fun while training hard. Coach Thomas is a very proud mother of a 2 year old, who has a love for the water, much like his mother had at a very young age.