David Beckerman to Deliver Keynote Address at Commencement 2024

Hamden Hall is pleased to announce that entrepreneur and former Boys’ Varsity Basketball Coach David Beckerman will deliver the keynote address to graduates at the 2024 Commencement Ceremony on Friday, June 7.

"We are honored to have David Beckerman as our Commencement Speaker for the Class of 2024," said Head of School Bob Izzo.  "I personally hold David in the highest esteem and am grateful to him for his three-plus decades of dedication and graciousness to our school community.”

Mr. Beckerman has a long-standing relationship with Hamden Hall as he began his coaching legacy on the court from 1993 to 2004 and over his tenure led the team to eight New England Championships and six Fairchester Athletic Association League titles. He returned to Hamden Hall for the 2015-2016 season where he earned his 500th career win. In addition to coaching, Mr. Beckerman delivered the commencement address at our 2010 graduation ceremony and most recently served as a guest speaker at a student-athlete recruitment event hosted on campus. 

Most notably, Mr. Beckerman is the founder and former CEO of Starter Inc. Founded in 1971, Starter Inc. developed into the leading producer and one-time largest licensed sports apparel manufacturer for professional athletic organizations including the National Basketball Association, National Football League, Major League Baseball, and the National Hockey League. Mr. Beckerman ultimately retired and moved into real estate. His contributions to the sports apparel industry were recognized in 2015 when he was elected to the National Sporting Goods Association Hall of Fame. 

Over the years, Hamden Hall has assembled an unparalleled roster of keynote speakers for our various graduating classes. The Class of 2024 will be part of Hamden Hall’s 112th Commencement Exercises.

“David’s wisdom and business acumen will resonate with our graduates - but just as important is his understanding of the benefits of academic achievement and excellence in education," said Mr. Izzo.  

Mr. Beckerman graduated from the University of New Haven in 1966. He currently serves as Chairman of the Acorn Group, a real estate management and investment company in New Haven. He was inducted into the University of New Haven’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 2007, awarded the "Alumni Award of Excellence,” and recognized by Hamden Hall via induction into the school’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 2014. Hamden Hall is home to the Beckerman Athletic Center, a preeminent facility for our student-athletes that opened in 2009 with a dedication ceremony in 2010. Mr. Beckerman is also a Hamden Hall past grandparent.