MANSFIELD, Mass. – Assumption University legend Joe O'Brien has been announced as a part of the Northeast-10 Conference Hall of Fame Class of 2023 on Monday afternoon. O'Brien was among 11 inductees for their outstanding accomplishments and contributions in the NE10.
Joe O'Brien's passion for basketball led him to two successful careers – one as a longtime men's basketball head coach at Assumption University (College at the time) and one as the President and CEO of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. A titan of the sport, O'Brien served as head coach at Assumption for nearly 20 seasons, compiling an overall record of 322-175, including 12 NCAA Tournament appearances between 1967 and 1985. O'Brien helped Assumption win the NE10 Championship in 1983, two years before he started his work as Executive Director of the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1985. He went on to become President and CEO in 1993. During his time in Worcester, O'Brien also served as the head coach of baseball and cross country and assistant athletics director.
The Class of 2023 consists of eight different NE10 institutions, which includes three former conference members and six different sports. It consists of nine individuals and two teams, with three institutions represented by multiple inductees. It is the fifth-largest class ever inducted into the NE10 Hall of Fame, trailing only the classes of 2006 (25), 2007 (17), 2021 (14) and 2022 (12).
Started in 2006, the NE10 Hall of Fame honors those who have made significant contributions to the Conference while preserving and promoting the history of the league since its inception in 1980. As of 2023, the Hall has 136 individuals and 25 teams inducted.
"The NE10 Hall of Fame Class of 2023 is comprised of a remarkable collection of individuals and teams that achieved at the highest levels and proudly represented the conference during their storied tenures," said NE10 Commissioner Julie Ruppert. "This Class consists of eight student-athletes that combined, earned five national championships, along with two powerhouse programs and a profound figure in college, and later professional, basketball. We could not be more excited to celebrate these 11 inductees for their incredible accomplishments – which now include the NE10 Hall of Fame, an accolade that is reserved for the best of the best from amongst the tens of thousands that have donned uniforms in our impressive history. This class will always be remembered for their hard work, commitment, and contributions to the NE10."
For a complete list of inductees in this year's class, please see below.
- 2017 Adelphi Women's Lacrosse Team
- Erica Devito-Vitale, Adelphi (2009-12)
- Bentley Women's Basketball, 1988-93
- Amy (Varsell) Bradrick, Bentley (2009-14)
- Kevin Barletta, Bryant (1999-03)
- Elizabeth Davis, Bryant (1992-96)
- Brittany Brigandi, Le Moyne (2010-12)
- Wanda Maynard-Morris, Pace (1998-02)
- Destiney Coward, Southern Connecticut (2014-18)
- Corey Thomas, Stonehill (2009-13)
--
For continuing coverage of Assumption University Athletics, visit assumptiongreyhounds.com and follow the Greyhounds on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
