Key role recognized
Michele O’Keefe, who was instrumental in bringing the FIBA under-18 men’s Americas championships to Niagara in her former job as Canada Basketball president and chief executive officer, has been selected the Welland sportsperson of the year for 2018. The Welland native, who is now associate director of athletics and recreation at Niagara College, officially receives the H.L. Cudney Memorial Award at the City of Welland athletic banquet Friday, April 5, at Casa Dante. Selection committee member Ron Lemon said the award recognizes all the work she has done promoting basketball, “not only in the region but throughout Canada as well.” It will be the second prestigious honour O’Keefe will receive in less than a year. Last September Canada Basketball presented her with a nation Leadership in Sport Award.