Bob Keefe (1997) - Hall of Fame - Bowling Green State University Athletics

Bob Keefe

Induction:
1997

Bob Keefe was the first full-time tennis coach at BGSU, serving in that capacity from 1955 until 1968, forming the foundation for the tennis program. His teams compiled an 83-76 record, including the 1964 Mid-American Conference championship (Bowling Green tied with Miami for the league title). That team posted a 15-0 record in dual matches. His teams compiled a 34-5 dual match record between 1962-64.

In addition to the championship year, his teams had six winning seasons and placed third in the MAC three times. The tennis facility at Bowling Green (Robert Keefe Courts) was named in honor of Keefe in 1980.

While coaching at BGSU, Keefe was also a full-time professor in the health, physical education, and recreation department. After retiring from coaching in 1968, he spent six years as the assistant dean in the College of Education. He began his professional career in 1942 as a teacher and coached at Oberlin College where he led the swimming team to the Ohio Conference title. They repeated as conference champions again in 1946.

Bob Keefe was elected to the BGSU Athletic Hall of Fame in 1997.