< Brian Keating has enjoyed success in the classroom, but can’t wait for one last chance to help UConn football program excel.
UConn's Brian Keating is the kind of positive, dedicated and hard-working player that every football team needs in numbers.
He's also a committed student already with an undergraduate degree working toward a master's degree in sports management and active in community service.
It's important to Keating, a Darien native proudly playing for the state university's football program, to make an impact on his community.
"Connecticut is my community," Keating said on Wednesday. "There's so many people that have supported me along my way. Faith, family and friends are the three most important things that keep me grounded in my life. So every opportunity I get to give back and show love for the people who make Connecticut home for me is just so special."
Keating, a senior long snapper, never doubted that he would return for another season after the Huskies elected not to play last fall. He cherishes wearing the UConn uniform.
He couldn't be happier to be part of a program that he rooted for growing up. “It's been really full circle for me, being a Connecticut kid, coming to UConn games since I was younger," Keating said. "Always dreamed of being in this spot. Sometimes I really have to take a step back and appreciate the opportunity I have to even be here, to have success here.
"There's a lot of guys in the locker room that are super supportive. This whole year is just appreciating everything that college football and UConn football has to offer whether it be getting my (undergraduate) degree, now getting two degrees.
"The COVID year obviously was disappointing getting it taken away from us. But it's been a huge opportunity for me to really appreciate why UConn is so special, why I wanted to come back and finish what we started. Like the others had said earlier, we want to get a ring and we want to do it this year."
Unfinished business is part of the reason Keating decided to return. He wants to go out a winner and earn a bowl ring. The Huskies haven't had a winning season since 2010 or won a bowl game since 2009.
Keating, a tireless worker and respected leader, plans on doing everything he can to try to make that happen.
Special teams coordinator Eddie Allen, who arrived in Storrs in 2018, has watched Keating grow from "a puppy" to a man that knows what it takes to be successful at a high level and goes about his business the right way every single day.
Allen talked about the impact that Keating has on the team.
"He's one of those guys who's always positive," Allen said. "Whether it's in the weight room or at practice, he always brings the juice. A little bit goofy at times. But I think the guys respect that. There's no question, it was a tough year for everybody. But having a guy like that who's got the positive energy all the time, I think it is critical for the makeup of a football team and he's definitely got it."
Keating also has his priorities straight. He has taken full advantage of his UConn experience.
Last fall, Keating was a candidate for the 2020 William V. Campbell Trophy and Wuerffel Trophy. The former "recognizes an individual as the absolute best in the country for his academic success, football performance and exemplary leadership," and the latter honors the "FBS player who best combines exemplary community service with leadership achievement on and off the field."
Keating is the football team's representative on UConn's Student Athlete Advisory Committee and also is involved with the Goal Line mentorship program.
"With COVID, it's been kind of limited with what we can do," Keating said. "We do a lot of virtual readings to a couple of elementary schools in Windham and Willimantic. We do a bunch of community service workshops with students from East Hartford middle school with our Goal Line program. As much it's been limited, as a team and as a student-athlete and community here at UConn, we're doing a lot to help out a lot of people.
"I'm trying to do my part and make myself available and just be able to be out in the community."
Keating is determined to make his final season as memorable as possible.
The Huskies are nearing the end of spring practice season. Their season opener is Aug. 28 at Fresno State.
"This whole year, going into spring ball, it's been a grind since day one and I love it," Keating said. "Knowing that we're going to be able to have a season and we're going to have the right season is going to be perfect, so I'm super happy that everything is going the way it is."