12/28/2025
Tom was instrumental in getting IAABO to where it is today. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him. Board 35 sends its condolences to his family and friends.
It is with heavy hearts that we announce that former Executive Director Tom Lopes passed away on December 27, 2025 following a long and courageous battle with illness.
After a distinguished and highly successful career as a Division I basketball official, Tom 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 the International Association of Approved Basketball Officials (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.
Tom earned his bachelor’s degree from Fairmont State College in West Virginia and went on to receive two master’s degrees from Seton Hall University. He 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.
Tom’s officiating journey began 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 Tom’s passion for the game, the 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.
After graduating in 1966, Tom returned to New Jersey, enrolled in the IAABO officiating class, successfully passed the examination, and officially began his distinguished officiating career.
Tom’s resume of officiating assignments is both extensive and impressive. He worked New Jersey State Championships, numerous Holiday Festivals, and NIT Championship games. For 20 consecutive years, Tom officiated 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, Tom 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 one of the top accolades in sports officiating. In recognition of his lasting impact on the game, Tom was inducted into the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association Hall of Fame in 2022.
Tom was always quick to acknowledge those who helped guide his career. He credited the late Edgar Cartotto for giving him his first opportunity, along with John Guthrie of the SEC and Art Hyland of the BIG EAST for opening the doors to officiating at the major conference level.
A member of IAABO for more than 50 years, Tom 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, Tom dedicated 14 years as Executive Director of the Collegiate Basketball Officials Association (CBOA), 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.
