Evansville mourns the loss of a local sports icon, Clint Keown, who tragically passed away at the age of 44 in a car accident in Crawford County, Illinois, on Sunday. Keown, celebrated for his athletic prowess at Memorial High School and the University of Evansville, was a beloved figure in the Evansville community.
According to Crawford County Sheriff Bill Rutan, the incident was a single-vehicle crash, and the investigation is currently ongoing. The sheriff confirmed Keown as the deceased driver. Matthew Redd, a passenger in the vehicle, sustained serious injuries in the accident. Emergency responders initially attempted to airlift Redd from the scene, but adverse weather conditions necessitated ambulance transport to an Evansville hospital. Sheriff Rutan noted that Redd was conscious at the scene but later lost consciousness and required a ventilator upon reaching the hospital.
The car accident was reported around noon on Illinois 1, described by Sheriff Rutan as “a very straight stretch” with some hills but no curves. The location was about a mile south of a flashing red light on Illinois 1 near County Road 900 North. Keown’s vehicle, a Tesla, was traveling southbound when it struck a guardrail and veered into a ditch. Keown was reportedly returning from Robinson, Illinois, approximately 90 minutes north of Evansville, at the time of the crash. The Crawford County Sheriff’s Office has contacted Tesla to seek data from the vehicle to aid in the investigation, including whether the car was operating in self-driving mode.
Remembering Clint Keown’s Illustrious Sports Career
Clint Keown’s name is synonymous with athletic excellence in Evansville. Throughout the 1990s, he distinguished himself as one of the most versatile and accomplished athletes in the Southern Indiana Athletic Conference. Keown excelled in basketball, baseball, and football at Memorial High School, leaving an indelible mark on the school’s sports history.
In basketball, Keown was a scoring phenomenon, amassing 1,766 points during his high school career. This achievement still places him among the city’s all-time top scorers, a testament to his offensive talent and impact on the court.
Keown’s basketball journey continued at the University of Evansville, where as a freshman, he played a key reserve role on the Aces’ 1999 NCAA tournament team. Seeking a more prominent role, he transferred to Division II South Carolina-Aiken. There, he truly shone, finishing second in the nation in scoring in 2002 with an impressive 24.7 points per game. His athletic versatility extended to baseball, where in the spring of 2003, he set a conference record with 52 stolen bases out of 56 attempts in just 53 games, demonstrating exceptional speed and base-running skills.
His baseball talent attracted professional attention, leading to a minor league contract with the Cincinnati Reds. Keown played one season in Class A ball before retiring, citing burnout.
Beyond the Field: Golf, Poker, and Hall of Fame Recognition
After his collegiate and professional baseball career, Clint Keown transitioned into other competitive arenas, achieving success in both golf and professional poker. He competed professionally in minor league golf tours before regaining his amateur status in 2020. That year, he showcased his golfing prowess by finishing second in the Evansville Men’s City Tournament, even recording a hole-in-one at Evansville Country Club. He narrowly missed a five-person playoff the following year, highlighting his consistent high level of play.
In 2018, Memorial High School honored Keown’s remarkable athletic achievements by inducting him into the school’s hall of fame. Reflecting on his deep connection to his alma mater, Keown visited the Tigers’ gym floor for the first time in years shortly before the ceremony, participating in a fundraiser and reminiscing about his early basketball days. “I have so many memories,” he shared with the Courier & Press, recalling his childhood home across the street from the gym.
His father, Rick Keown, recounted Clint’s childhood passion for sports, mentioning that young Clint would even sleep with basketballs, baseballs, and bats.
Clint Keown’s passing is a profound loss to the Evansville community. He is survived by his wife Hannah, with whom he recently celebrated their third wedding anniversary, a son, and two stepchildren. His legacy as a gifted athlete and cherished community member will long be remembered in Evansville.
