Friday Night Locker Room, Space Coast Daily Team Up To Expand Keith Lippert Memorial Scholarship

By  //  December 15, 2016

awarded to a Brevard County high school senior

Keith Lippert was the founder of the Friday Night Locker Room and was the driving force in its infancy stages. Keith did it all; he dealt with the schools, owned and operated the broadcasting equipment, was the technical engineer, and jack of all trades. (Image for Space Coast Daily)

More Than $17,500 Has Been Awarded In Name of FNLR Founder

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – The Friday Night Locker Room (FNLR) is in its 18th year covering local high school sports in Brevard County.

Orville Susong, Steve Wilson, Alan Zlotorzynski and Zach Clark are somewhere different each Friday night broadcasting games to those that are unable to attend.

The name you don’t hear too often though, is the most important member of FNLR. And, that is, the late Keith Lippert.

Lippert was the founder of FNLR, and was the driving force in its infancy stages. Keith did it all; he dealt with the schools, owned and operated the broadcasting equipment, was the technical engineer, and jack of all trades. FNLR could not get on the air without Keith.

Friday, October 12, 2007 was supposed to be a typical fall broadcast. Football season was underway. The guys had just arrived at Melbourne High School to broadcast the Bulldogs game vs Space Coast.

Keith, Orville and Steve were carrying their equipment to the press box like they did every Friday night. Then tragedy struck. Keith succumbed to a massive heart attack, and everything changed.

ABOVE VIDEO: Now in their 18th year broadcasting and covering Brevard County high school sports, the Friday Night Locker Room’s longtime crew is now the Space Coast’s most definitive source of high school and youth sports information. 

Strong Proponent of Education

There were questions as to whether FNLR would continue. How could they? Keith WAS FNLR. However, with the blessing of the Lippert family, and technical assistance of producer Rich Frazier, the show continued.

But, there was something missing. And, it was a big something. It was Keith. Susong and Wilson decided they wanted to do something to help keep Keith’s name and memory alive.

Keith was a strong proponent of education. He always said that he did not care what his children did for a living, but, they were going to get an education.

The guys, along with Lippert’s wife, June, decided to start the Keith Lippert Memorial Scholarship. It was to be awarded to a Brevard County high school senior that would be attending Eastern Florida State College.

To date, more than $17,500 has been awarded for students to continue their education.

Keith Lippert, left, was a strong proponent of education. He always said that he did not care what his children did for a living, but, they were going to get an education.

Lippert Posthumously Inducted In Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame

Multiple students have been awarded the Keith Lippert Memorial Scholarship over the years.

Susong and Wilson are committed to see the scholarship program continue and grow. Along with Space Coast Daily, they have grand plans for future expansion of the program.

“This scholarship has positively affected too many young people in the past for it to stop,” said Susong.
“We must find the funding and continue to invest in the future of our youth.”

VIDEO: ‘Friday Night Locker Room’ Is Area’s Definitive Prep, Youth Sports SourceRelated Story:
VIDEO: ‘Friday Night Locker Room’ Is Area’s Definitive Prep, Youth Sports Source

Yes, the show did continue. And, Lippert was posthumously inducted into the Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame in 2015, along with Susong and Wilson.

There is no doubt that Keith would be proud of what has taken place since his passing; especially the scholarship.

Auto dealer and avid youth sports supporter Mike Erdman has been a long-time main sponsor of the Friday Night Locker Room.

“Without Mr. Erdman’s financial support over the years, what we do would not be possible,” said Wilson.

If you would like to help fund the Keith Lippert Memorial Scholarship, please log on to
GoFundMe.com/Keith-Lippert-Memorial-Scholarship

THE FRIDAY NIGHT LOCKER ROOM crew has traveled the entire state of Florida for the last 18 years covering Brevard County high school sports. Above, Keith Lippert, left, with crew mates Steve Wilson, right, Orville Susong, second from right and Rich Frazier. (Image for Space Coast Daily)
IN THEIR 18TH YEAR BROADCASTING local sports, the Friday Night Locker Room has always been about promoting youth and prep sports in Brevard County. Founder Keith Lippert, third from right, passed away in 2007 and Orville Susong, left, and Steve Wilson, second from left, established a scholarship fund in Lippert’s name. (Image for Space Coast Daily)