LoBello served as a Hall of Fame Board Member for nearly 30 years
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced today that Joseph D. LoBello, formerly a resident of Longmeadow, MA, was recently appointed as a “Life Trustee” by the full Board of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and its Chairman Jerry Colangelo. Being named a “Life Trustee” is the highest honor a Hall of Fame Board member can receive reflecting a long term and passionate commitment to the organization. LoBello will join the ranks of other “Life Trustee” members including Michael Daly, William Foster and W. James Host.
LoBello was originally appointed as Treasurer by then Board Chairman, the late Curt Gowdy and served for nearly 30 years under 11 different Board Chairs. He played an instrumental role in the planning, development and financing of both Hall of Fame buildings that were constructed on the riverfront in Springfield. He also served as a Director for the Springfield Riverfront Development Corporation, the real estate development arm of the Hall of Fame successfully redeveloping the entire 18-acre riverfront parcel.
“Without Joe LoBello and his long lasting commitment, the Hall of Fame would be a shadow of its current self in Springfield and not have the stature in the global game it enjoys today without Joe’s leadership,” said Hall of Fame Board Chairman Jerry Colangelo. “To say he helped navigate some tough financial times in the past would be a tremendous understatement and the entire Board sincerely appreciates his expertise and involvement in getting us to where we are today.”
A native of Northampton, LoBello retired in 2008 after a 45-year banking career with the Third National Bank of Hampden County and as Chairman and CEO of PeoplesBank in Holyoke.