EASTON, Mass. (July 25, 2025) – Stonehill College's Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs and Director of Athletics, Dean O'Keefe, has been appointed to the 2025-26 New England Women's Hockey Alliance (NEWHA) Executive Committee, as announced Friday afternoon by NEWHA Commissioner Robert DeGregorio, Jr. O'Keefe will serve alongside Charlie Dowd of Sacred Heart University and Neil Duval of Saint Anselm College.

Since Stonehill College launched its NCAA Division I women's ice hockey program and joined the NEWHA in 2022-23, O'Keefe has played a pivotal leadership role, serving as chair of the conference for the past two seasons. He also currently serves on the NCAA Women's Ice Hockey Championship Committee. Previously, he was a member of the Hockey East Association Executive Committee, where he served as chair during the 2013-14 academic year.

A proud Stonehill alumnus and former student-athlete, O'Keefe became the first graduate in school history to lead the College's athletic department when he was named Director of Athletics in July 2015. Under his leadership, Stonehill's athletic program has grown to include 23 varsity sports and recently achieved full NCAA Division I membership following a successful transition from Division II.

Stonehill's women's ice hockey program made an immediate impact in the NEWHA, capturing the 2023-24 conference championship in just its second season. The Skyhawks earned the league's automatic berth to the NCAA Division I Women's Ice Hockey Tournament, marking a historic milestone for both the young program and the College's broader transition to Division I.

Joining O'Keefe on the 2025-26 Executive Committee are Charlie Dowd, Deputy Athletics Director for External Operations at Sacred Heart University, and Neil Duval, Deputy Director of Athletics for Internal Relations at Saint Anselm College.

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