There's a sports adage that states it's not about the name on the back of the jersey; it's about the name on the front of the uniform. That sentiment can be no truer that when the name on your chest is your country. And there can be no greater pride than representing your country at an international competition, especially the Olympic Games.
Four years ago, former Fairfield University goalkeeper Michael O'Keeffe found himself in that circumstance, leaving an indelible mark on his athletic career. During the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, O'Keeffe started for New Zealand, a summer which came between his junior and senior campaigns with the Stags.
“It seems so long ago,” O'Keeffe said. “I have some fantastic memories, both from the games I played and also the time I spent at the (Olympic) village watching New Zealand athletes and other notable events. I'm still good friends with many of the team members and still play with and against them regularly.”
O'Keeffe earned accolades from around the globe for his play in his three games for New Zealand as the Oly Whites owned a 0-2-1 record through Olympic group play. The goalkeeper was lauded for several critical saves that kept the team in both games – a 1-0 loss to Belarus in the opener and a 1-1 draw with Egypt in the second outing. Bleacher Report placed O'Keeffe on its Best XI from the first round of the men's soccer matches during the 2012 Olympics.
He returned to Fairfield University for his senior season during the Fall of 2012 and turned in another stellar performance in goal for the Stags. O'Keeffe earned All-Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) first team honors as a senior, the fourth time that he received conference accolades. He finished his career among the career leaders for shutouts and goals against average.
“Fairfield was some of the best years of my life,” O'Keeffe said. “It really did help set me up with everything to succeed professionally. I landed my dream job as a direct result from the skills and experience gained while at University. Along with that, the soccer program was top quality and produced some lifelong friends with whom I keep in touch regularly. One of the best decisions I have made for sure!”
His dream job places him with SKY TV in New Zealand, the country's premier provider of television coverage. O'Keeffe is part of the 1,000-person crew that provides New Zealand with sports and entertainment.
“I work for Sky TV in the sports highlight department,” O'Keeffe said. “Here, we create news bulletins and edit footage of live games and repurpose them for highlight packages for TV and the web.”
And when he is not in production, O'Keeffe still remains active in the game he loves, playing in a local league in New Zealand.
“I try to keep as active as I can,” O'Keeffe said. “I thought the freshman 15 was bad, wait until you start working full time. I am still playing, still in goal as well. I'm playing locally for the Glenfield Rovers. While football was my primary focus whilst at University, it is very much secondary at the moment to my career. I fell this has given me greater perspective on the game but am still very much enjoying it.”
The enjoyment also includes watching current Olympians take the pitch over the last week. Although New Zealand did not make group play, O'Keeffe still found time to enjoy the spectacle.
“The most difficult part about watching the game on TV is the start time, almost in the middle of the night for us,” O'Keeffe said. “But even before I was a participant, I was always a massive Olympics fan. Being a small nation, we're incredibly proud of the few medals we get and remember being up in the small hours of the night to watch kiwis participate. Plus, my career has given me a different perspective as I have working throughout the Games. I'm getting a very unique look at what happens behind the scenes to make it happen from a TV standpoint.”
He gained an initial understanding of media production while an undergraduate at Fairfield University. As a student, O'Keeffe regularly was part of the student radio production of athletic contests and eventually ended his student media career as the sideline reporter for Fairfield men's basketball games that were televised regionally on SNY. Between his soccer and student achievements, the University presented O'Keeffe with a 2013 Student Achievement Award, given to students have shown exceptional dedication to and enhancement of a specific Fairfield University program, activity, organization, or project.
It was that dedication that made Michael O'Keeffe excel as a goalkeeper and later on in life. His perspective has helped guide him through those memorable games in London as well as those games he played professionally upon his graduation.
“There's a fine balance, but I always compared myself to where I wanted to be,” O'Keeffe said. “There is a quote that states the difference between an amateur and a professional is amateurs focus on what they do right whereas professionals focus on what they do wrong. An amateur will hit 100 balls and be happy with the 90 he kicked well. A professional will do the same but focus on the 10 not kicked well.”
Whether it was an amateur or as a professional athlete, Michael O'Keeffe kept his focus on reaching the pinnacle of his game, not for the glory that accolades brought his way but rather for the glory of the name across his chest.
