Former IU student and athlete Charles Keating IV was killed Tuesday morning on a mission in Iraq as a U.S. Navy SEAL, according to an IU release.
"When Charlie left IU to enlist and try to become a SEAL, I don't think it really surprised any of us," Robert Chapman, former men’s cross country coach, said in a release. "You could tell he was a guy who wanted to be the best and find out what he was made of, and serving as special operations forces for his country embodied that."
Keating ran track and field for IU from 2004-2006, competing in the mile run. He competed on the 2004-2005 track team that finished second in the Big Ten indoor and outdoor seasons. He left IU to enlist in hopes of becoming a SEAL.
Keating is the son of another renowned IU athlete, Charles Keating III, who was a three-time All-American for IU in the breaststroke, according to the release. Charles Keating III also finished fifth in the breaststroke at the 1976 Olympics.
“From all accounts, Charles Keating was a great kid and a privilege to coach," IU track and field Coach Ron Helmer said. "On behalf of Indiana Track and Field, my condolences go out to the entire Keating family. He paid the ultimate sacrifice defending his country, and for that we are eternally grateful.”
Nyssa Kruse
A previous version of this story called Keating an alumnus, but he was only a former IU student. The IDS regrets this error.
