Bio

Two-time All-American quarterback finds a spot in Tiger Athletic Hall of Fame. It has been more than 30 years since Keith Bonney has stepped foot on Cowley College’s Arkansas City campus. So, when he heard he was to be inducted into the Tiger Athletic Hall of Fame on Feb. 4, Bonney immediately began looking forward to returning to the school where he was a two-time All-American quarterback.

Prior to coming to Cowley, Bonney played high school football at Bartow Senior High School in Florida. His junior year he was an All-County and Honorable Mention All-State selection as he helped the squad win the state championship and finish unbeaten with a record of 14-0.

Despite his solid high school career, Bonney did not receive the offers he was hoping for. With then Cowley head coach Jerry Boyce having already recruited players from Bartow (FL) High School, he was familiar with Bonney. So, when Bonney received an offer to play at Cowley, he decided to jump on the opportunity.

Coming from Florida to Arkansas City, Kansas was a bit of a shock at first. “A shock would be an understatement,” Bonney said.

Bonney made an immediate impact to the Cowley football program as he helped the team finish 7-4 and gain a share of the Jayhawk Conference title during his freshman season in 1979. He then helped Cowley to a record of 7-3 and a second straight Bowl appearance in the 1980 season.

During the season, Bonney led his Tiger football team against current Cowley athletic director Tom Saia’s Coffeyville Red Ravens in a game that would decide the conference title. Bonney did all he could to try and lead his team to victory as the two teams lit up the scoreboard in a 54-38 win by the Red Ravens. Bonney, who helped Cowley defeat Coffeyville in the 1979 season, impressed Saia with his versatility.

“Keith was a gifted athlete that could run or pass,” Saia said. “He was as good as any athlete that played in the Jayhawk Conference back then.”

Bonney left his mark on the Tiger football program as he holds the school-record for most yards passing in a season (1,686), most yards passing in a game (297), most passes attempted in a career (492), most passes completed in a game (23), most touchdown passes in a career (15), most touchdown passes in a game (three), and longest pass play (95 yards).

He has fond memories of his time as a member of the football program, including cook-outs at Coach Boyce’s house, seeing a deer and snow for the first time, and of course the competition that the Jayhawk Conference had to offer.

“Coach Boyce, Coach (Jerry) Watts, Coach (Art) Ogden, and Coach (Bob) Juden were all great coaches who cared for their players,” Bonney said. “From day one I knew we had great players who were committed to winning.”

After graduating from Cowley, Bonney went on to play two seasons of football at Indiana State University and earned Bachelors and Masters degrees from the school. He also earned a specialist degree Ed.S in Education Leadership from Nova Southeastern University and is in the dissertation stage of his Doctoral degree.

He has put his education to good use as he is an ordained Deacon at his Church, an adjunct professor of health at Polk State College, and a middle school Physical Education Teacher.

Bonney and his wife, Consuela, have nine children. Satoria 31, Tiffany 30, Katrina 28, Jerron 27, Terrence 23, Diamante 20, Alexis 16, Kennedy 14, and McKenzie 9.

Bonney is looking forward to returning to the campus where he was a two-time All-American football player. “I’m excited to see the changes and to see the town again,” Bonney said. “I am truly honored; it is one of the biggest accomplishments in my life.”