On Monday night, the Okaloosa County School Board unanimously approved the naming of Choctaw’s Football Fieldhouse weight room after the late Patrick Keefe, class of 2015.
Keefe was born and raised in Okaloosa County and was a proud Big Green Indian at Choctawhatchee High School, where he played football.
“He forged grit, discipline, and incredible strength and power in the weight room,” read Keefe’s obituary. “He brought unrelenting intensity, passion, and toughness to the football field. He loved his teammates deeply and led by example, attacking and embracing physical discomfort.”
In June 2020, Patrick was diagnosed with brain cancer. On June 6, 2022, exactly two years from his diagnosis, Patrick passed away at home, surrounded by his wife and family.
Before his death, Patrick wanted gifts honoring his life to sustain the Choctaw weight room. He wanted something that would last and continue to serve others rather than flowers that would fade and die.
- Keefe requested that instead of flowers, any gifts honoring his life to be in the form of donations, 100% of which would be used for equipment, maintenance and enhancement of the Choctaw weight room.
What started out as a GoFundMe to raise a few thousand dollars, turned into hundreds of donations totaling $101,300.
- $95,300 was used to purchase new equipment.
- $6,000 was donated for exterior graphics to the field-house.
“Patrick was a young man that left us too soon, but absolutely left his mark on Choctawhatchee High School,” said Superintendent Marcus Chambers. “He left his mark Okaloosa and the entire Okaloosa County School District. To be able to name a building, and specifically the weight room, in honor of Patrick, is something that I know we’re extremely proud of as a school district”
In a heartfelt speech after the vote, Patrick’s mother, Dr. Lynn Keefe, told the crowd of people in the room that the naming of the building is a “tribute to the 800 people that donated in his honor, who felt the pain but celebrated him.”
Dr. Keefe thanked the entire room, along with a list of people who helped make this naming a reality.
- “I just want to thank you,” she said. “Choctaw has such tradition. When we were hurt really bad, it’s just such a wonderful thing to give back a little bit. It’s quite an honor.”
Choctaw’s Head Football Coach, Frank Beasley, spoke to the school board on behalf of the high school.
“We can’t say thank you enough for approving this item,” said Beasley. “It is an absolute honor for me to have known Patrick, and his impact on our community was so great. One of the most important things throughout this whole process for me and our coaching staff was to make sure that his legacy continues.”
Beasley continued by saying that the students, staff and school will continue to know who Patrick Keefe was and will be able to see his name every day as they walk into the weight room.
Principal Michelle Heck described Keefe as a “smart, witty, and inspirational” young man who “had the most contagious smile!”
“His coaches and teachers will tell you that Patrick was everyone’s friend and a role model, especially in the weight room and on the football field,” said Heck. “Patrick was an inspiration to others, including teammates, coaches, teachers and people he didn’t even know. Choctawhatchee High School will ensure that Patrick Keefe’s legacy will live on. The entire Keefe Family will always be a part of our Big Green Family.”
