Joe McKeever’s high school coach, Barry Desko, started the wrestling program at Solebury High School in a powerful district in Pennsylvania where Joe holds the record for the fastest pin and was District Champion in his senior year. He also wrestled for the club team when he attended Penn State.

His contribution to Maryland Wrestling began when he started as a referee for the Maryland Wrestling Officials Association (MWOA) in 1995. He continued for the next 26 years as a top official in Maryland until his death on August 29, 2021. He was a constant presence in county, regional and state tournament’s even when not refereeing.  He also officiated 15 State Tournaments, both the individual and the dual meet. Officials are evaluated each year and only the top ones work in the end of season tournaments. Joe’s impressive resume also includes 6 National High School Dual Tournaments, the Eastern National Tournament and the Senior National Tournament. He also officiated 7 Beast of the East Tournaments where the top high school wrestlers from many states compete. Many Division I coaches scout the Beast of the East Tournament to look for potential college wrestlers that can compete in the best programs.

Moreover, Joe’s commitment to wrestling went well above his officiating matches. He coached the Edgewood Junior League for five years and served in many leadership positions for the MWOA, including assistant commissioner, historian, and website administrator. He evaluated and helped train many Applicant Officials. His outstanding training package is still being used today for that purpose. Applicants greatly benefited and listened well to a referee who has been ranked numerous times as the top official in the Maryland State Tournament. In 2007, Joe conducted a study of the follow the winner format in the State Tournament and that analysis led to the current double elimination format. Joe also published “Eight Aspects of Officiating” in Referee Magazine in 2009. He continued his efforts for wrestling despite a long and courageous battle with cancer. Joe’s contributions and dedication to the sport of wrestling deserve recognition on the national level. He will be missed.