Peter Gucwa, Turley Publications Sports Intern

March 7, 2013

Worcester, MA --- The Worcester State Lancers had a long season. A primary driving force of the team is center Meaghan O'Keefe. She studies speech therapy in the communication science and disorders department this is her last semester in classes and her last semester playing for the Lancers. 

"The whole team was very excited for me. I feel like the whole team won the award, but they used my name, "said O'Keefe, referring to being recognized as MASCAC Women's Basketball Player of the Year.

Meaghan O'Keefe has been playing college basketball since her freshman year. She was also playing basketball long before this – 16 years in total.

"I've pretty much been playing my whole life, all through elementary and middle school," said O'Keefe. "I loved Quaboag. It's a really small school; we graduated 78 kids in the class. I really like how everyone knew one another and how tight knit our community was."

"My cousins on the girls basketball team and my other cousin is on the boys. My whole family went to Quaboag." 

Unfortunately, the Lancers lost to Westfield State in the MASCAC semifinals, ending the season for the Lancers at 13-13. They averaged 56 points a game this season, and 20.7 field goals made.

Although basketball is a huge part of O'Keefe's life, she has other ambitions. 

"I really want to become a speech pathologist," said O'Keefe. "I'd really like to work in an elementary school and help kids with speech impediments."

"I have to go to grad school to get my masters. I'd like to take a year off though, maybe get some experience in the educational field. In any case, I should definitely have a job after I get out of school." 

A dream shared by many.

"I want to become a speech pathologist because I had speech problems when I was a lot younger and the speech therapy really helped," said O'Keefe. "Also, I really like to work with children. I am pretty set on that career path."

O'Keefe is not ready to put aside basketball yet. 

"I also play in a women's league in Worcester," said O'Keefe. "They usually host it at Clark, but it's at Worcester State this year."

"I don't know what I am going to do after the summer league though. It would be weird to stop playing basketball. I hope I keep playing, I don't know if I really will.'

Then she paused for a second, "I probably will keep playing. Id really like to be an assistant coach at whatever grad school I go to," said O'Keefe.

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