FAIRFIELD, Conn. --  Senior goalkeeper Michael O'Keeffe (Christchurch, New Zealand) was one of four Fairfield University students to receive a Student Achievement Award. The award was presented to O'Keeffe this afternoon as part of the Student Award Ceremony and Reception at the Aloysius P. Kelley, S.J., Center on the main campus.

The awards are given to outstanding seniors who have enhanced a specific University program. The senior's commitment to this activity must have resulted in the program or organization attaining a new level of achievement not possible without the senior's leadership and guidance.

For O'Keeffe, his contribution to the Fairfield University men's soccer program added an international flair. He became only the second Fairfield student-athlete to participate in the Olympics, serving as the starting goalkeeper for the New Zealand National Team during the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.

As a member of the Fairfield soccer team, Michael ranks as one of the best goalkeepers in school history, finishing with 19 career shutouts. He was an All-Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) goalkeeper for the fourth straight seasons including 2012. He also collected All-Region honors as a goalkeeper.

A Dean's List student, Michael earned MAAC All-Academic honors three straight years. He was also active in many community service projects during his four-year stay. Some of his more recent projects included participation in the Student-Athlete Talent Show, which raises money for local children in need of medical assistance, and the Read Aloud Program, where student-athletes read to elementary school students in the Bridgeport and Fairfield communities.

In addition to his contributions to the soccer program, Michael also was a member of the WVOF sports staff and broadcasted men's and women's basketball games for the last two years.  He also served as the sideline reporter for the media center productions of men's basketball games which aired on  SNY (SportsNet New York).