Keith Gunther

Distinguished Alumni

Student-Athlete: Basketball

Keith Gunther, a 1986 graduate of LaBrae Local Schools and standout athlete, gave his all to LaBrae Local Schools on the basketball court before going on to do the same in every arena of his life.

Keith acted as team captain and earned the MVP title for two years while averaging 25 points per game. He garnered a long list of accolades, including:

Writers Selection – UPI 2nd Team All-Ohio

Coaches Selection – AP 3rd Team All-Ohio
3rd Team Hoyle Tournament
1st Team All Trumbull County AA (85 & 86)
1st Team Inland District (86)
Scoring Leader Trumbull County (86)
2nd Team All-State (86)
Channel 33 Player of the Week (86)
WLND Player of the Year (86)
Cleveland Plain Dealer Player of the Week (86)

He earned a full scholarship to Ashland University, where he played as a starter for four years. He collected 918 career points, securing Defensive Player of the Year and All-League Team GLVC as a junior and senior. He drove his team to the Division 2 Elite 8 and served as team captain for two of his four years.

Keith coached at LaBrae for two years (94-96) before serving another six years as assistant coach for Newton Falls Boys Basketball (96-02). He has served as head coach at Ursuline High School Boys Basketball team for the past 21 seasons, (02-present), and, under his leadership, Ursuline has won nine District Titles and made two Regional Semi’s/Finals Runs.

Keith currently holds the most career wins record at Ursuline High School and has logged his 300th career win as of Feb. 13, 2024. His coaching success has earned him recognitions, including 2017 Vindicator Coach of the Year and 2023 Mahoning Valley Basketball Coach of the Year. Well loved by his players and their families, he doesn’t just coach them for the court, he works to help his athletes become successful in their communities.

Keith has worked in probation for 24 years and is currently Chief of Probation for the City of Girard and head of Girard Recovery Court. He has helped individuals get sober, secure inpatient and outpatient care, get funding for housing, receive employment assistance, and heal family relationships.

Keith has opened his home to host boys needing housing to get through high school. He has completed nine home rehabs in the LaBrae community, allowing families to live in the LaBrae School District. In 2017, Keith was awarded Trailblazer of the Year by the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. Psi Omicron Chapter for his outstanding work within his community through coaching and mentorship.

Son of Candace, he is husband of Jill, and father of Megan, Macey, and Jaylen.