One of the nation’s greatest basketball players, Steve Nash, was among a group of individuals inducted into the Canada Games Hall of Honour and Niagara College’s Director of Athletics and Student Engagement Michele O’Keefe was centre stage for the celebration.
At an event held on August 5 in Niagara Falls ahead of the Niagara 2022 Canada Summer Games, O’Keefe accepted the Hall of Honour award on behalf of Nash, who represented Team B.C. in men’s basketball at the 1993 Canada Summer Games in Kamloops. As one of the best point guards to ever play the game, he also helped Canada qualify for the 2000 Olympics in Sydney and is a two-time NBA MVP and eight-time NBA all-star.
O’Keefe (centre) is pictured with iconic Canadian broadcaster Ron MacLean (right) and Olympic champion and Canada Games alum Catriona Le May Doan (left) at a Hall of Honour celebration on Aug. 5.
Photo credit: Tim McKenna
O’Keefe, whose professional career has included roles with Canada Basketball, has known Nash since he played on Canada’s junior national team. Accepting the award on his behalf was a true honour for O’Keefe, who is a Board Member and Chair of the Legacy Committee with the Niagara 2022 Games.
“Steve Nash has always been an excellent representative of Canada and his history playing with Team BC at the Canada Games is an outstanding example of his national pride,” she said. “I was happy to accept the Hall of Honour award on his behalf.”
As noted in a media release from the Canada Games Council, the Hall of Honour “recognizes exceptional Canada Games alumni and individuals who have sparked greatness by distinguishing themselves during the Canada Games and beyond, while contributing to the growth of the Canada Games Movement.”
Joining Nash as part of the Hall of Honour Class of 2022 are: Niagara Falls native Michael Strange (Olympic boxer), Welland native Stacey Allaster (tennis executive), Brian McKeever, Tom Quinn and the late Don Goodwin.
Read more about the inductees on the Niagara 2022 Canada Summer Games website.
