Longtime hockey broadcaster O'Keefe skates into banking career

Northwestern Financial Review, Feb 20, 1999 by Olmsted, Monte

When First National Bank North Dakota obtained former hockey defenseman Tim "Swampy" O'Keefe in a "trade" with McDonald's restaurants, the Grand Forks-based bank snagged a face and voice familiar to Red River Valley residents.

Not only did the move convert a fast-food magnate into a banker, but it also brought to the bank a well-known area sports broadcaster and one of the state's biggest hockey boosters.

Before joining First National Bank North Dakota's Fargo office in September, and during his days as a McDonald's franchisee in Minnesota, O'Keefe led a 25year career as a television and radio announcer for area college and high school hockey games.

He continues the part-time job in hockey-hungry eastern North Dakota, where O'Keefe is nearly a household name.

"I love the game. It's been an important part of my life since I was real little, and I continue to love the people I meet," said O'Keefe, now serving as color commentator for University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux hockey games on KCNN-AM radio in Grand Forks.

A player on the 1968-71 Fighting Sioux hockey teams, O'Keefe returned to his home state after several years in Minnesota. His homecoming has been eventful in his new career as First National Bank North Dakota's senior vice president and regional market manager.

Serving as the bank's information planner and promoter of financial service products, O'Keefe's turf stretches from North Dakota's capital of Bismarck to parts of Minnesota, attracting customers for the $500 million bank. The bank brought O'Keefe on board because of his business acumen, and so far, it's been a good fit, said Randy Newman, president and chairman of First National Bank North Dakota.

"Tim's primary role will be as a business developer and people leader," said Newman. "We knew he didn't have the technical banking background, and he'll have to learn things. But what he brings to the company is experience as an entrepreneur and business owner."

A former teacher and head hockey coach in Fargo, O'Keefe has had a diverse background that will come in handy in his new field. The 49-yearold O'Keefe also has worked as a professional consultant for companies such as Eastman Kodak.

No banking novice, O'Keefe served on the board of First National Bank Bemidji (Minn.) from 1987 to 1996. Bemidji, a town in north central Minnesota, was O'Keefe's home for more than 20 years while he oversaw two McDonald's restaurants there and another in Detroit Lakes, Minn.

O'Keefe's career as a hamburger and fries man began in 1971. Fresh from his college hockey-playing days, he worked at his family's McDonald's restaurants in Grand Forks, Crookston, Minn., and Thief River Falls, Minn. Three years later, he became a McDonald's franchisee, owning three restaurants before selling in 1996.

Even in a life filled with Big Macs, business consulting and now banking, O'Keefe has always had time for his beloved hockey, a game he excelled in during his younger days.

A strong skater who occasionally scored, "Swampy" was known for his quickness. The nickname came from a teammate, who after reading an article about southern Georgia's Okeefenokee Swamp, decided the name sounded similar enough to O'Keefe's. From then on he was known as "Swampy."

Growing up in Grand Forks in the shadow of University of North Dakota hockey, O'Keefe knew it was only a matter of time before he'd play for his favorite team.

Before signing on with the Fighting Sioux, a young O'Keefe sharpened his hockey skills under the tutelage of numerous Canadian players in North Dakota attending school and coaching youth hockey. He blossomed at Grand Forks Central High School as his teams claimed state championships in 1966 and 1967, going undefeated in the last year.

His playing career with the Fighting Sioux had its ups and downs. As an ineligible freshman, O'Keefe watched his team lose the national championship to the University of Denver in 1968. He missed much of his junior year after breaking his wrist in an exhibition game against the U.S. Olympic hockey team.

But he's played with many skaters who went on to join the National Hockey League. Teammates included John Marks, who played 12 years with the Chicago Blackhawks. O'Keefe hasn't skated much lately, but that doesn't stop him from suiting up for Fighting Sioux bashes. In 1997, he served as chairman of the school program's 50-year reunion.

Broadcasting Fighting Sioux hockey games keeps O'Keefe close to the sport. Now living in Fargo, O'Keefe travels the 70 miles to Grand Forks for every home hockey game. .He also works regional road games in cities such as Minneapolis, Madison, Wis., and St. Cloud, Minn.

The job has given him name recognition that he likely wouldn't get anywhere else.

"I view it as an asset for me and my career," said O'Keefe. "People know me by association from listening to the program, and it's amazed me day-in and day-out the situations I run into. It's been a tremendous benefit to mix the careers."

Another reason he continues to work in the booth has been the networking factor. During his broadcasting career, O'Keefe has met numerous people-some of whom have enhanced his business career.