Page 42 - BusinessWest February 17, 2025

“John doesn’t waver — he’s a hard-working guy; he doesn’t give up. He’s one of the key reasons this organization
is where it is today. John is the engine th”at makes it go.
John Doleva says the successful capital campaign accompanying a recent renovation of the Hall exemplifies its stronger financial footing and status within the basketball community.
Photo by Bob Zemba, Simple Truth Imaging
hard-working guy; he doesn’t give up,” he said. “He’s one of the key reasons this organization is where it is today. John is the engine that makes it go.”
Looking back, Doleva told BusinessWest that it was never his intention to stay at the Hall long enough to have people describe him in such terms. Indeed, he said his plan was to stay a few years and then return to the sporting-goods world from which he came.
What kept him from going back, what kept him at the Hall, was the enormity of the challenge and opportunity to lead the shrine through it.
“I wouldn’t call it a thrill, but it was the thrill
of managing something that that was seemingly impossible,” he said. “It was a like a firefight; you get into it, and you’re making progress — you
can feel it, you can see it. It took a long time, and there were a couple of stumbles like the 2008 recession. But I enjoyed seeing the Hall reposition itself — that was exciting to me.”
Over the past 20 years or so, the Hall has
gone from $14 million in debt to a $4 million endowment. Doleva acknowledges both that
the latter is certainly not enough, and one of his goals is to greatly grow that number, and that the turnaround at the Hall was not the work of one man.
But those who know him say it’s Doleva’s leadership and ability to build vital relationships that were weak or non-existent that made it possible.
And that’s one of many reasons why he’s a true Difference Maker.
Not a Slam Dunk
As noted earlier, Dovela came from the sporting-goods world, specifically Spalding, then based in Chicopee at the site of what is now a Callaway golf-ball manufacturing plant.
He was 25 when he joined the company as assistant product manager in the early ’80s, eventually rising to vice president and general manager of the company’s Sporting Goods Group. He said his years working for President George Dickerman, noted for being a tough, demanding manager, were difficult, but ultimately invaluable learning experiences.
“Those first few years, I went through the wringer with him ... there were lots of times
when I said, ‘this is crazy, I’m going to quit, I’m going to quit, I’m
Doleva
Continued on page DM26
>>
Congratulations
John Doleva!
You’re a true Difference Maker for Western Mass
Photo by Bob Zemba, Simple Truth Imaging
BROKERAGE
PROPERTY MANAGEMENT
DEVELOPMENT CONSULTING
Proud property manager and leasing agent for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame complex since 2009
1441 Main Street, Springfield MA
413.781.0066 ColebrookRealty.com
DM24 FEBRUARY 17, 2025
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