Former basketball exec nets lifetime achievement award
Michele O’Keefe recognized for leadership in sport
Michele O’Keefe was surprised when she learned she was in the running for the national Leadership in Sport Award.
The associated director of athletics and recreation at Niagara College felt that at age 53 she wasn’t old enough to be nominated for — let alone, win — an award honouring lifetime achievement for promoting sports in Canada..
“I’m a little young I think to be recognized for lifetime achievement, but I’ll take the compli-
ment I guess,” O’Keefe said with a laugh.
The honour, which was bestowed at Canadian Sport
Awards in Ottawa, recognized the Welland native’s nearly two decades with Canada Basketball as well as her work with FIBA, the sport’s world governing body.
She was surprised by winning the award, and not just because of her age.
“Oh, absolutely. Whoever could think that the work that I’ve done would be recognized on a national stage like that?” she said. “I find it incredibly humbling.”
Her nomination and attendance at the presentation ceremony took her down a memory lane, albeit one she left not too long ago.
In an interview O’Keefe was asked if that trip made her homesick for working at the national level after two-plus months at her job at a regional community college.
“No, I’ll say I felt a little nostalgic and it was nice to see people and catch up and have those conversations, but there were no pangs of anything else,” she said. “I’m certainly not looking back.
“I’m loving what I get to do and Niagara College has been so supportive. I get to have great conversations with people down here in Niagara who want to see bigger things.”
The graduate of Bishops University in Montreal said she feels “very fortunate” about where her career path has taken her.
“I had my moment in the national spotlight, and now I get to work at home.”
O’Keefe is enjoying her new job and learning about all the processes involved in running an educational institution with thousands of students.
“I’m really enjoying the multisport aspect of it as well,” she said. “I am getting to know a whole crop of student athletes who don’t necessarily play basketball.”
‘‘ “I’m a little young I think to be recognized for lifetime achievement, but I’ll take the compliment I guess.” MICHELE O’KEEFE Niagara College associate director of athletics and recreation
In her new position, O’Keefe believes the college can play a significant role in sport development throughout Niagara Peninsula. She is a board member of the 2021 Canada Summer Games Host Society.
Among the four nominees for the award was fellow Welland native and fellow Welland Sports Wall of Fame inductee Sandra Gage, the chief marketing officer for Soccer Canada.
“She was there, we had a great conversation,” O’Keefe said. “I think it’s just hilarious that the two of us were in the finals.”
Richard Crepin, chairman of the Gymnastic Canada board of directors, and John Furlong, the chief executive officer of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, were also up for the lifetime achievement honour.
The award, which can be presented to an organization as well as to an individual, recognizes outstanding contributions that demonstrate such things as groundbreaking organizational leadership, innovative practices and cutting-edge marketing while staying true to the values of fair play and inclusiveness.
O’Keefe’s involvement in basketball at the international level didn’t end when she left her position as Canada Basketball president and chief executive officer in June. She continues to see as FIBA’s Americas vice-president and is one of five women on FIBA’s 20-member central board.