Keith Matune of Illinois is a Purdue Men’s Gymnastics National Champion & All-American. The following article highlights the legacy of Keith Matune and his father, Walt, from basketball to gymnastic success.

There aren’t many father-son legacies that begin on the basketball court and end on the gymnastics floor. But for Walt and Keith Matune, that is exactly how their story goes. This unique journey is packed with familial love and a shared dream of making it Downstate. And despite getting there in a wildly different way than the pair wanted, they certainly achieved their goal.

Initially, they hoped Walt would coach the basketball team at Downers Grove North to Champain’s Elite Eight, achieving the otherwise-elusive Downstate (i.e., reached the state finals) status. Yet, the team never managed to get past the semifinals before Walt retired as the head coach in 1992.

Suddenly, the Downstate responsibility was firmly atop Keith’s shoulders. Without him, the state final dream would wilt forever.

Thankfully, Keith Matune Achieved the Duo’s Downstate Goal

As Keith Matune of Virginia told the Chicago Tribune in 2008, he and his father had an understanding that once he retired and Keith began coaching, he’d “get it done.” Of course, he believed he’d achieve the dream working as a coach for the basketball team, but that wasn’t what life had in store.

Instead, Keith Matune of Virginia took his Lake Park boys gymnastics team Downstate at the meet in Barrington back in May 2008, clutching the objective the pair had worked so hard to grasp. Keith Matune acknowledged he had his dad to thank for this enormous achievement.

Although, he wasn’t always quite so forthcoming with his gratitude.

1983: The Year of Being Cut from the Team

It’s safe to say Keith was rather upset in 1983, as he was slashed from the basketball team. As a boy who’d come along to the gym with his dad from the moment he could toddle, he was naturally devastated by this news. Many may consider this news expected, considering he stood only 4ft 10″ tall and weighed 72lbs, however, Keith believed he had the skills to make the B team at least.

Digging a little deeper reveals that wasn’t the primarily upsetting factor, though. His interview with the Chicago Tribune uncovered that Walt, his father, didn’t discuss it after a different coach divulged the news. Keith Matune of Illinois mentioned that his dad probably assumed he understood.

Gymnastics Proved Pivotal in the Pair’s Quest to Downstate

Keith told the publication he should’ve realized the cut was coming — his dad encouraged him to try the school’s gymnastics program following basketball camp, and he now figures Walt was attempting to put him in a realm wherein he had a shot. Hindsight is always 20/20.

Like all beginners, however, he was a terrible gymnast initially. But with practice, he earned a partial scholarship to Radford University. Here, he grew to 5ft 7″ and became an absolute gymnastics star.

While he hadn’t seen the back of basketball (Keith went on to become the assistant gymnastics and freshman B team basketball coach at York during 1999 and 2000), he quit for good after experiencing a 21-3 season to focus on the gymnastics side of things.

Fast-Forward to 2008 and Consider the Dream Achieved

He quickly became York’s head boys’ gymnastics coach before taking over Lake Park in 2004. In just four seasons, he transformed a team from their unfortunate doormat status into a state trophy contender.

And he did it all in true Walt style — highlighting the importance of team motivation, ensuring discipline, and teaching social studies, history, and government simultaneously. He even dons a tie to all competitions, stating it’s a tribute to his father.

As soon as the news broke that Lake Park were headed Downstate, Keith excitedly rang his father, who proceeded to fly in for the occasion. It’s safe to say both father and son were immensely proud of the achievement, as Keith Matune told the publication that it was “very special” for Walt to see him at the state tournament.

The Journey That Never Dies

Nowadays, Keith Matune of Illinois carries his unique journey and exceptional relationship with him as he continues his career as an assistant principal at St. Petronille Catholic School. Regardless of the twists and turns the family experienced on their quest to the state finals, they got there in the end.