Joseph M. O’Brien, Ed.D. ’57

Joe received the College’s Outstanding Alumnus Award in 1997. His dedication to Assumption College and its athletics program is legendary. His service to the College spanned more than 30 years, including duties as assistant athletics director, head baseball coach, head cross country coach, and 18 seasons (1967-85) as head men’s basketball coach, compiling a coaching record of 321-173. The basketball team participated in the NCAA Tournament 12 times, finishing third in the nation on three occasions. Joe collected three New England College Division Coach of the Year Awards during that time. He was inducted into the Assumption College Alumni/Athletics Hall of Fame in 1970 for his hard work and enthusiasm for Greyhound athletics and academics.

Joe served as president of the National Association of Basketball Coaches in 1983-84 and in that capacity became involved with the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as a member of its board of directors. He was named executive director of the Hall of Fame in 1985, followed by a promotion to president and chief executive officer in 1993. During his tenure, he guided dramatic improvements to the Hall's exhibits, computerization and staffing. He played an integral role in its $100 million riverfront expansion and the building of the new Basketball Hall of Fame in 2003. He received the Hall of Fame's most prestigious honor outside of induction, the John Bunn Lifetime Achievement Award, awarded annually to an international or national figure who has contributed greatly to the game of basketball. Joe was inducted to the New England Basketball Hall of Fame in 2002. He and wife Patricia had five children, including Eileen ’82 and Roberta ’86. Joe passed away in 2003.

Last updated 12/17/07