MANCHESTER – School district officials and local football fans bid farewell to Athletic Director Keith Lister who was honored for his nearly 40 years of dedication during a recent township high school football game.
Lister spent 38 years of his life working for the Manchester Township School District as athletic director. His commitment to students, programs, and the community has been described by his colleagues as being nothing short of extraordinary.
Where would you celebrate someone whose leadership and vision crafted thousands of young athletes? The football field, of course.
The school community celebrated his retirement on the field prior to the start of a game. It was a fitting tribute to the man who spent a lot of time working off the field for the kids on the field. The ceremony touched on the lessons he taught and the legacy he will be leaving behind. He was joined by his wife Donna and their three children, Camyrn, Kristin, and Caitlin.
He performed the coin toss, symbolizing the leadership and spirit he has brought to our fields for nearly 40 years.
Superintendent Diane Pedroza said Lister’s “dedication and heart have made a lasting impact. We are forever grateful for his service.”
His legacy is not just seen in the championships won or the facilities improved, but in the character of the students who walked away better people because of his influence, she said. His steady presence, humble leadership, and deep care for others have helped shape a school culture that values integrity, effort, and heart. He has truly embodied our district’s motto, Excellence by Example, in everything he has done.
Members of the Manchester Township Board of Education, Pedroza, and MTHS Principal Dennis Adams, were there to extend their deepest thanks and heartfelt congratulations to Lister for a lifetime of service, leadership, and unwavering commitment to excellence who they commended as being “a true champion on and off the field.”
