Page 41 - BusinessWest February 17, 2025

John Doleva
President and CEO, Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
He’s Led the
Shrine Through
Crisis and onto
Stable Footing
JBy George O’Brien [email protected]
ohn Doleva knows a little something about recognition programs.
Indeed, he’s president and CEO of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, which, in addition to being a sports
museum, annually inducts a handful of individuals and groups, across all levels of the game, into the shrine.
In fact, he’s the one who gets to call these people and let them know they’ve reached the pinnacle of this sport.
So when he was called to inform him that he was named a Difference Maker for 2025, the shoe was on the other foot, and he was both humbled and a
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“When you look at the progress the Hall of Fame has made, I give a great deal of credit to John Doleva. He’s been a great leader, and I think he’s a very valuable asset for the city of Springfield.”
little ... well, reluctant.
“Why me? I’m just doing my job,” he asked. Maybe. But this job, which he’s held since 2001,
has been far more challenging — and even more rewarding — than he could possibly have imagined when he took it.
The rewards have come from overcoming those challenges, most of them financial in nature, and taking the Hall from a position where it didn’t know every two weeks if it could make payroll
or if it would have to file for bankruptcy, or if it might be moved to another city, to where it is now: financially stable and with a secure future. In Springfield.
And most would say he isn’t just doing his job — he’s also been active in his community, especially regarding youth sports, childhood literacy, and other initiatives.
Jerry Colangelo, the former owner of the Phoenix Suns, long-time Hall of Fame board of governors member, and its current chair, has seen the transformative change at the shrine and credits Doleva with being the right leader at the right time.
“He’s always talked about how important the Hall of Fame is to the city of Springfield and the great interest he’s had, and the Hall has had, in promoting the city,” Colangelo told BusinessWest. “When you look at the progress the Hall of Fame has made, I give a great deal of credit to John Doleva. He’s been a great leader, and I think he’s a very valuable asset for the city of Springfield. The Hall of Fame is in the best financial condition it’s ever been in, by far, and the future looks great.”
Frank Colaccino, another long-time board member, agreed. “John doesn’t waver — he’s a