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Funeral services for Ted Kjolhede, who died Saturday at age 84, are pending at Clark Funeral Chapel in Mt. Pleasant.
Dave Keilitz, who became athletic director at CMU following Kjolhede’s retirement in 1984, said Kjolhede led an outstanding, giving life and, more importantly, was a man who contributed much to the university and the Mt. Pleasant community.
“He will be greatly missed,” Keilitz said. “He never sought the spotlight.
“He did things because it was the right thing to do.”
Keilitz, who retired from CMU in 1994 and is currently the executive director of the American Baseball Coaches Association, met Kjolhede while he was a student and athlete at CMU.
After Keilitz graduated, he hired on at CMU and coached the baseball team while Kjolhede was athletic director.
Kjolhede’s contributions “led to the betterment of everything he touched,” Keilitz said.
Keilitz last saw Kjolhede at a CMU basketball game about three weeks ago, where the former colleagues visited.
“He was just an outstanding person,” Keilitz said. “He did lead an outstanding life and a life of significance.”
Kjolhede was inducted into the first Mid American Conference Hall of Fame in 1988 for his efforts as an athlete, coach and athletic director.
He was named to the CMU Athletic Hall of Fame in 1983.
Kjolhede was an athlete as an undergraduate at CMU and was the men’s basketball coach from 1956 to 1972, and was athletic director from 1973 until his retirement.
During his years as a student at CMU, Kjolhede, who graduated from Grant High School, earned three letters in basketball and two each in football and tennis.
He was named most valuable player on the 1948 basketball team, which posted a 17-3 record that season.
Following his career as a student at CMU, Kjolhede had coached at Grand Haven and Battle Creek Central high schools before returning in 1956 and coaching basketball for 15 seasons, according to CMU’s sports information Web site, www.cmuchippewas.com.
Kjolhede’s 1956 team at Battle Creek Central took the state title.
Kjolhede was named coach of the year by the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for the 1965-66 season with a 23-6 record.
Kjolhede supported charitable organizations and was a diehard Chippewa fan.
He and his wife, Ginger, welcomed CMU President Michael Rao and his family when Rao succeeded former President Leonard Plachta in 2000.
“Ted and Ginger were among the initial group of people who welcomed Monica, Miguel and me to Central Michigan University,” Rao said Sunday. “Ted stood out because of the warmth he demonstrated when he embraced us, and over the years, he continued to be a cherished supporter and friend.
“He is truly one of CMUs pioneers, who built much of the foundation we continue to build on today. Ted was CMU through and through.”

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