Tom Keefe has been involved in high school, collegiate, and professional sports for over 50 years as an athlete, coach, administrator, teacher, attorney, and scout. Coach Keefe, a varsity swimmer, earned his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Cincinnati. He returned to his college alma mater in 1980 as assistant head swimming coach, where during his eight years the Bearcats recorded 7 top-25 finishes and produced 10 All-Americans. He continued his affiliation with U.C. as an adjunct associate professor teaching Philosophy of Sports for 25 years. During his UC career he also served as the University’s first NCAA Compliance Officer.
In 1990, Tom became G.M. for the Cincinnati Spirit in the Great Lakes Summer Collegiate Baseball League. During his tenure, the Spirit won the League Championship and sent 41 players to pro baseball, seven of whom reached the majors. Following the 1993 season, he joined the professional scouting ranks initially with the Marlins and since 2003 with the World Champion Los Angeles Dodgers.
In 1998 Tom, a 1968 St. X grad and AquaBomber, returned to the pool deck as a member of the coaching staff with the swimming program at St. Xavier High School. While in that role, St. Xavier has won 24 state championships and produced 113 All-Americans, as well as being crowned National Champs by both Swimming World Magazine (2001 & 2017) and the National Interscholastic Swimming Coaches Association (1999, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2007, 2008, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020). His coaching career includes senior positions at the Cincinnati Marlins, Kenwood Swim Club, Cincinnati Country Club, Tri Village (Mariemont Aquatic Club), Highlands High School and Summertime Swim Club.
Tom is also Vice President and General Counsel for Patriot Signage, Inc. He has been active with the Jesuit Spiritual Center at Milford for 50+ years. Keefe was honored by St. Ursula Academy in 2016 with the “Respect the Game of Life Award” and in 2017 earned the Jose Cerda’ Foundation service award for his contribution to the sport of swimming. Most recently (2023), he received the prestigious Magis award from St. X for “exceptional contribution of service.” He and his wife, Debbie, have two daughters, five grandchildren, and are life-long residents of greater Cincinnati.
