Mr. O’Keefe coached thousands of basketball, baseball, football and softball games over the course of 40

COLUMBIA, SC, May 7, 2020, Dennis O’Keefe has been included in Marquis Who’s Who. As in all Marquis Who’s Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.

Backed by years of expertise in accounting, insurance and sports coaching, Mr. O’Keefe excelled as an accountant for four different state agencies in South Carolina between 1975 and 2005. From 2006 until 2018, he further served his community as an insurance salesman. During his time as an accountant, he channeled his love of sports into working as a coach for several basketball, baseball, football and softball teams in high schools across South Carolina. Mr. O’Keefe was additionally active as the official scorer for the University of South Carolina men’s basketball team, better known as the South Carolina Gamecocks.

Even though his career has been filled with highlights, Mr. O’Keefe is especially proud of officiating one state basketball final, 10 softball state finals, five baseball state finals and seven football state finals. He also cites making a name for himself as a weekly guest on a talk show called “Rapping With the Ref” among his most memorable professional achievements. Notably, Mr. O’Keefe appeared in the 1993 movie “The Program” as a referee alongside James Caan, Halle Berry and Omar Epps.

In 1974, Mr. O’Keefe earned a Bachelor of Science in accounting from the University of South Carolina. He remains aware of changes in the field through his professional alignment with the University of South Carolina Marching Band and Delta Sigma Phi. Devoted to his community, Mr. O’Keefe contributes to the choir at Riverland Hills Baptist Church.

Having called thousands of games throughout his storied career, Mr. O’Keefe has been honored on several occasions for his coaching expertise. In addition to being inducted into the South Carolina Basketball Officials Hall of Fame in 2016, he was recently celebrated for more than 25 years of calling games through the Lexington County Recreation Department. In 2021, he will be selected for inclusion within the South Carolina Football Officials Hall of Fame. Looking toward the future, Mr. O’Keefe intends to enjoy his well-deserved retirement.