Tom Lopes, a longtime college men’s basketball official and former Executive Director of the International Association of Approved Basketball Officials (IAABO), died Dec. 27 at age 83.
Lopes retired from on-court officiating in 2007. His commitment to the game and to officiating excellence continued when, on May 4, 2008, he assumed the role of Executive Director of IAABO. During his tenure, Tom provided steady leadership and dedicated service to the organization and its members.
Tom and his wife, Nancy, were married for more than 50 years. They resided in Ocean Pines, Maryland, before later relocating to Red Bank, New Jersey. Together, they raised three children—Thomas, Jennifer, and David—and were proud grandparents to five grandchildren: Jacob, David, Alexa, Alea, and Zachary.
Lopes devoted more than 30 years to the field of education, serving with distinction as a science teacher, guidance counselor, vice principal, principal, assistant superintendent, and superintendent of schools in Keansburg, New Jersey. A significant portion of his career was spent leading Special Education programs for classified and handicapped students, and he was actively involved with Special Olympics at the local level.
Lopes began officiating while he was a senior at Fairmont State, where he narrowly missed making the basketball team—a circumstance he later joked was due to being “vertically challenged.” Recognizing his passion for the game, a coach encouraged him to explore officiating. Tom accepted the challenge, working the entire junior varsity schedule for a local high school team coached by a fraternity brother, earning the modest sum of $2.50 per game. What began as an alternative path quickly became a lifelong calling.
Lopes officiated New Jersey State Championships, NIT Championship games, and for 20 consecutive years in the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament, including three Final Fours. His conference assignments included the Northeast Conference (NEC), Southeastern Conference (SEC), BIG EAST, Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC), America East, Atlantic 10, Patriot League, and the Ivy League.
Among the highlights of his career, Lopes was named Naismith College Official of the Year in 1997, one of the highest honors in collegiate officiating. He was awarded IAABO’s highest honor of Life Membership in 2001. In 2019, he received the prestigious NASO Gold Whistle Award, widely regarded as the highest honor in officiating.
A member of IAABO for more than 50 years, Lopes served the organization with distinction at both the local and international levels. At the local level, he held leadership roles as Board President and Interpreter, while at the international level he was a respected clinician and served as Assistant Chairman of the Rules Examination Committee, working closely with the renowned Roger MacTavish for eight years.
In addition to his service to IAABO, Lopes dedicated 14 years as Executive Director of the Collegiate Basketball Officials Association, where he played a pivotal role in organizing the membership, negotiating contracts, and overseeing the day-to-day operations of the association.
Tom will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him. His leadership, professionalism, and lasting contributions to basketball officiating have left an enduring legacy.
Courtesy of IAABO.
