Eighth Annual Basketball Hall of Fame / Springfield Rotary “Service Above Self” Luncheon Honorees Announced

Local Honorees Jack and Collette Dill and National Honoree Nancy Lieberman to Receive Recognition for Commitment to Service

SPRINGFIELD, MA – The Basketball Hall of Fame and The Rotary Club of Springfield have announced the honorees for the eighth annual Basketball Hall of Fame / Springfield Rotary “Service Above Self” Luncheon. The event will be held at the Basketball Hall of Fame’s Center Court on Friday, November 17th at noon.

This year’s distinguished honorees are Jack and Collette Dill and Nancy Lieberman. Since 2010, the annual luncheon and awards have highlighted some of the remarkable individuals within the Western Mass. community and the larger basketball family who have truly lived out the motto of Rotary International, “Service Above Self.”

“The Rotary Club of Springfield is proud to honor such deserving individuals as Nancy Lieberman and Jack and Collette Dill,” said Lamont Clemons, President of The Rotary Club of Springfield. “Rotary is where neighbors, friends, and problem-solvers share ideas, join leaders, and take action to create lasting change. This year’s honorees certainly do all that and exemplify Rotary’s motto.”

Locally, few couples have had greater positive impact on life in Springfield than Jack and Colette Dill.  Known for their warmth, intelligence and generosity of spirit, commitment and community engagement, they have both quietly lived lives that exemplify “Service Above Self.”

John “Jack” Dill is the President & CEO Of Colebrook Realty Services, Inc., a privately owned full service real estate firm in Springfield and the founding director of the Massachusetts Housing Investment Corporation, a non-profit equity financer of affordable housing, low-income housing tax credit and new markets. He has held leadership roles on many key local boards including Springfield School Volunteers, Springfield Business Leaders for Education, the Springfield Education Fund, Baystate Health Systems, Mercy Hospital, Western Mass Life Care Corporation, American International College and was the campaign chair of the extremely successful capital campaign that brought New England Public Radio to Springfield. Jack was awarded the prestigious William Pynchon Award in 2016.

Colette, with over 25 years experience as the marketing officer of a community bank, has shared Jack’s passion for outreach and volunteerism by taking leading roles on numerous boards including the Springfield Art Commission, Girl Scouts of Western Massachusetts, New England Public Radio, Ronald McDonald House Charities and many others.

National Honoree, Nancy Lieberman, rose from humble beginnings to a truly historic basketball career as both a player and coach. She was the youngest player in Olympic History to win a medal in basketball and went on to win back-to-back national Championships at Old Dominion.  She was the first two-time winner of the Wade Trophy as National Player of the Year. Lieberman is also a trailblazing coach, recognized as the first woman to coach a men’s professional basketball team as part of the NBA D-League, and now as an assistant coach for the Sacramento Kings. 

A gifted speaker, noted for her countless hours of community service and outreach, Lieberman has followed her election to the Hall of Fame in 1996 with national appearances on behalf of the Hall speaking to thousands of young people about overcoming obstacles, facing life challenges and dealing positively with life issues. She recently spoke with students at Springfield’s Commerce High and announced the development of her “Dream Court” in Springfield’s South End in 2018 as part of Nancy Lieberman Charities.

Nancy Lieberman Charities has served over three million children through a variety of programs including college scholarships, laptop and school supply giveaways, and basketball court and playground installations. Over the past 36 years, an additional four million children have participated in Nancy Lieberman basketball camps and clinics as well. From her childhood in Queens, to the heights of basketball success, Nancy Lieberman’s story transcends the traditional sports pages with a message of hope, while putting “Service Above Self.”  

“Nancy Lieberman and Jack and Collette Dill are fine examples of the impact individuals can make in a community,” said John L. Doleva, President and CEO of the Basketball Hall of Fame. “These honorees have continually put other first and we’re pleased to recognize them for their contributions to the betterment of others. We hope the Springfield community will join us at the luncheon to celebrate these exceptional philanthropists.”

Tickets and sponsorship opportunities to the luncheon are still available. Individual tickets are $60. For more information on sponsorships or to purchase tickets to the luncheon, contact Paul Lambert with the Basketball Hall of Fame at 413-231-5502 or [email protected].

“Service Above Self” Award Winners:

2015: Mike Glenn, Henry Thomas

2014: Bob Delaney, Bob Perry, York Mayo

2013: Vinny Del Negro, Paul & Diana Doherty

2012: Jim Calhoun, The D’Amour Family

2011: Rebecca Lobo, Charles Ryan

2010: Bob Lanier, Dan Roulier