Lou Spadia

Mr. Spadia, a native San Franciscan, is the founder of The Youth Fund, which to date has made grants of nearly 2 million dollars to more than 350 Bay Area youth organizations. His career in the sports world began with the San Francisco 49ers in 1946 following five years of service in the U.S. Navy. He was BASHOF's first employee commencing in 1979.

Retirement Announcement

Lou Spadia, founding president of the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame, is retiring effective August 1 after 25 years in office, BASHOF’s Board of Directors announced today.

Spadia, 82, will however, continue to serve the organization, albeit in a less active role, as Chairman of the Board and resident consultant. William G. Dieterich, a prominent East Bay business leader and community activist, will succeed him as president.

Spadia, a native San Franciscan, has been a prominent figure in the Bay Area sports scene since 1946 when, after Navy service in World War II, he joined the front office of the fledgling San Francisco 49ers.

“I could type so they made me office manager,” Spadia recalls. “But I also sold tickets, counted the gate and, for a time, worked as the equipment manager.”

In 1964, he became the 49ers’ president following the death of owner Vic Morabito who, with his brother Tony, founded the team. Spadia ran the 49ers for 15 years before, in 1979, accepting an offer from the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce to become president of the newly organized BASHOF.

He did so on the condition that BASHOF funds be spent not on a headquarters building but in support of community youth sports groups. The “Hall without a Hall” was a unique concept. With the cooperation and benevolence of United Airlines, who graciously provides space for BASHOF’s display of each inductee’s bronze plaque and module, over 105 inductees have been displayed at United’s Domestic Terminal. This plays a major role in BASHOF’s Youth Fund’s ability to make grants of nearly $2 million to over 400 deserving Bay Area youth groups.

In the process, it has also honored some legendary athletes at its annual “Enshrinement Banquet.” BASHOF’s first enshrinement class, for example, consisted of Joe DiMaggio, Willie Mays, Hank Luisetti, Ernie Nevers and Bill Russell.

New president Dieterich, 54, converted his family office supply business into one of the Bay Area’s premier high tech equipment companies. A BASHOF Board member since 1995 and the publisher of its newsletter, he has long been active as an organizer and fundraiser for youth groups.

Following Spadia, he said, “is a distinct if humbling honor. BASHOF, after all, has been Lou’s baby from the beginning.”

“I wanted someone to follow me who loves this organization,” said Spadia. “And Bill is just the man to keep us moving ever forward. And I’ll still be around when and if he needs me. But this change will give me more time to enjoy my seven grandchildren and two great grandchildren.”

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