Once a Stag, Always a Leader
How Josh Keough '04 Is Leading the Way for CMS Scholar-Leader-Athletes

Josh Keough is no stranger to being part of something bigger than himself.

The Claremont-Mudd-Scripps men's basketball alum has spent the majority of his life competing in one of the most team-oriented sports there is. From his parents to teammates and coaches, Josh has always had people in his corner, helping him become the leader and person he is today. Now, he's paying that forward to CMS scholar-leader-athletes. 

The Personal Arc and Legacy
For Josh, leadership at CMS isn't about titles or trophies. It's about building a culture that lasts. That belief has guided his work as the architect for "We Lead the Way", a new leadership development program that launched in Fall 2025 as part of the CMS Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.

The framework for "We Lead the Way" was built by Josh in direct partnership with Athletic Director Erica Perkins Jasper, who shares his vision for redefining what it means for student-athletes to "go pro" in life. This program, which leverages Josh's two decades of professional experience in designing and leading impactful Learning & Development programs, is how they are working together to embed leadership, discipline, and purpose into the DNA of the CMS athletic experience.

"I'm so grateful to the CMS community for being a part of my growth and development as a leader," said Josh, who was part of the 2001-02 SCIAC Championship team. He noted that having the chance to instill that same structure of purpose, trust, and development in the next generation of student-athletes is what drives his work.

While the program is just beginning, its mission is clear: to help student-athletes develop lifelong skills in leadership, collaboration, and purpose—the same lessons that shaped Josh's own CMS journey. These essential qualities translate directly into the professional opportunities and sustained career success that follow graduation.

Resilience and Discipline
Josh's leadership philosophy is grounded in resilience, a quality forged through adversity.

"One of my most memorable achievements in my sport wasn't one big game or one moment," he reflected, "but the journey to becoming All-Conference and being named team MVP."

That journey wasn't easy. During his sophomore year, Josh suffered the first serious injury of his career, one that tested both his body and his identity as an athlete. "It slowed me down considerably," he said. "Things I was used to being able to do - the way I could move, the freedom I had, those things weren't there anymore. And ultimately, the impact that I wanted to have that season didn't meet my expectations."

Recovery was neither quick nor straightforward. "It wasn't about a sudden fix or immediately finding a solution," he said. "It took months of intentional, relentless training, recovery, and dedication." Through that process, Josh learned that resilience isn't just a mindset; it's a plan.

"It taught me that resilience is a plan. You have to have one and stick with it, even when progress is slow," he said. "The path isn't linear. You keep showing up and giving more."

That lesson, and the vulnerability it required, reshaped Josh's approach to leadership and ultimately inspired his passion for helping others discover their own purpose and best selves.

Community and Trust
Josh's most cherished memories from CMS aren't about individual awards, even though he was a two-time All-SCIAC selection and team MVP. They are about the deep bonds formed with teammates during that 2001-02 championship season.

"My favorite memory had to be winning the conference championship and cutting down the nets at our old home in Ducey Gym," he said. "That victory wasn't just about winning the game or the final score. It was about our team being on a mission together."

From early morning practices to team meals and film sessions, that squad embodied what collective leadership looks like. "We challenged each other daily. We looked out for each other. We were truly united," Josh said. "Our coaches pushed us and prepared us. We trusted each other to make the right
plays at the right moments and to sacrifice for one another when it mattered most."

That brotherhood extended far beyond the season. "Several of us got together that summer for a three-on-three tournament in our teammate Forrest Caldwell's hometown of Redding," he recalled. "It was an incredible weekend, more great memories, more success, and more laughs. That's what brotherhood looks like."

The lessons from that season: trust, sacrifice, and shared purpose, became the foundation of Josh's work with "We Lead the Way". Its SACAP peer partnership model formalizes that same dynamic, helping student-athletes learn to lead through accountability and collaboration.

The Purpose Payoff
When asked about the mentors who shaped his path, Josh didn't hesitate, but he couldn't limit it to one name. "This is the hardest question for me because there isn't one single answer," he admitted. "It took a whole community."

His parents were the starting point. "They gave me everything," he said. "They sacrificed for me, always showed up, always championed my success, and introduced me to new opportunities."

At CMS, that foundation expanded. "Coach Scali's passion and character define leadership for me, and they continue to inspire me," Josh said of longtime men's basketball head coach Ken Scalmanini. "Upperclassmen like Bob Donlan and B.J. Jameson were incredible players and role models and they're still close friends today. Bob sold me my first house!"

Josh's mentors extended beyond athletics as well. Assistant coach Mike Lang introduced him to professional mentors such as John Rice and Randy Bessolo, whose examples of servant leadership and living your purpose continue to guide him. "They showed me what it means to lead and to champion others through service," he said.

All of those influences converge in Josh's work today. "To have the opportunity to give back to the CMS community and lead "We Lead the Way," which embeds that same structure of purpose, trust, and development in our student-athletes, is some of the most fulfilling work I've done in my life and career," he said. "It's my way of paying forward what this community gave me."

A Legacy That Leads
Through his work with "We Lead the Way", his professional career in leadership development, and his ongoing mentorship of CMS student-athletes, Josh Keough continues to build something that lasts. What started as a personal journey of growth is now helping to lay the foundation for CMS's next generation of leaders.

In the end, Josh's story is about continuity of culture, of mentorship, and of giving back. It's proof that the best leaders don't just play for the team they're on; they help build the teams that come next.

Join the Effort: Support "We Lead the Way"
As "We Lead the Way" begins its first year, CMS is committed to expanding its reach, deepening its impact, and preparing student-athletes to lead with confidence and purpose on campus and beyond.

Alumni and friends play a vital role in making that vision possible. Your support helps provide resources for leadership workshops, peer mentorship programs, and professional development experiences that empower the next generation of Stags and Athenas to thrive long after graduation.

If you'd like to help strengthen this legacy of leadership, consider supporting the "We Lead the Way" program today. Together, we can ensure that CMS continues to develop not only exceptional athletes, but exceptional people.

CMS Athletics Fund