Ohio dad opens his home to celebrate US women's hockey gold

Richard Kiley, a 60-year-old from Ohio, traveled to Milan for the 2026 Winter Olympics with a simple mission: share what he was seeing with his daughter Beks, a content creator. His updates were so genuinely wholesome that they went viral. The Gist, a women-led sports media brand, noticed and offered him an official role: "The Official Dad of the Olympics," complete with a "Dad View" camera angle for select events.

His favorite sport to cover? US women's hockey.

Why This Matters to Him

Kiley's enthusiasm isn't random nostalgia. Years ago, he took his daughters to a women's hockey game at Ohio State University in an arena that was nearly empty—more players and coaches than fans. "We showed up, and there were more players and coaches in that place than there were fans," he reflected in a video about the sport's growth. "Now it's 2026, and you saw the excitement tonight and the support for women's hockey. After this Olympics, I hope it doesn't fizzle, this excitement."

When the US women's team won gold in Milan, Kiley did what any proud dad would do. The team had declined an invitation to the White House, and Kiley saw an opening.

On Monday, speaking to his daughter over the phone, he extended his own invitation: "Since you're not going to the White House, you're welcome to come to my house here in Ohio."

When Beks laughed and pointed out his house probably couldn't fit the whole team, Kiley pivoted without missing a beat. "Kathy has a huge, beautiful property," he said, referring to his sister. "I'll find out when she's out of town."

Beks joked that their dad was "probably already getting out decorations."

Recognition Where It Counts

The team hasn't RSVP'ed yet, but during the Games, US women's hockey captain Hilary Knight recorded a personal message for Kiley. "Hey Richard, congratulations for being the official dad of the Olympics—that's pretty epic," she said. "Thank you so much for supporting us and championing women's sports."

For Beks, watching their father on the world stage has been surreal, but also deeply familiar. "It means so much that people get to see my dad for the guy I've always known him to be," they reflected. "He's seeing the dreams he instilled in my sister and me as kids come true—watching women's sports on the biggest stage, getting the attention and crowds they deserve."

Kiley's invitation—whether it becomes a literal gathering or remains a symbolic gesture—represents something the women's team clearly needed: someone in a position of visibility who simply refuses to treat their achievement as an afterthought.