Between Business and Basketball: Athletic Venture Keeps Alumni Friends On and Off the Court

The passion for the game of basketball has transcended into business management and the opportunity to teach youth for Hamden Hall alumni Alejandro L. Pabon-Rey 2011, Michael DiMartino 2016, and Victor “Vic” Joshua Jr. 2012, as they work together at The Lab Branford.

Founded in 2024 by Vic and three other co-workers, The Lab Branford is a youth basketball training program that strives to help athletes of any skill level learn the fundamentals and develop better proficiency on the court through the small group approach. The class model of six to eight players per coach allows for individual attention and personal development. The program offers different services including dribbling clinics, film study, team coaching, and more.

“Our goal is to elevate athletes of all levels to reach their goals in the sport of basketball through individual focus, training, and development,” said Vic. “There’s value in practicing good habits and solid fundamentals, even when you are tired or uncomfortable. By focusing on personal goals and training hard, you develop into better players and hopefully, you learn about life through sports.”

Prior to The Lab, Vic and Michael both coached at North Haven High School under the guidance of head coach and fellow alumnus Daniel Ogelsby 2002, who is also a current parent at Hamden Hall. Vic moved into his first business venture as the founder of Respect Hoops LLC in 2018. The New Haven community-based program worked with players of all ages and skill levels to help them learn the fundamentals, stay active in the off-season, and build out a mentorship between players and coaches. The business soon grew and moved to Wallingford as the need for a larger facility was imminent. Vic’s business sense sparked again as he had a vision for a new program that took a holistic approach to the game. He partnered with three other co-owners and brought on Michael and Alejandro to make The Lab Branford a reality. 

In addition to his roles as co-owner and director of basketball operations, Vic coaches alongside Michael as Alejandro handles the operations and social media platforms. The program currently has 100 players with a long waiting list. With the program recently celebrating its one year anniversary, Vic noted, "there's a possibility of expanding the business one day. However, our small class approach does aid in the overall success of the players both physically and mentally."

When not working at The Lab Branford with Vic, Alejandro is a licensed real estate agent at ASJ Realty Partners in Stratford, and Michael works as a property manager at Acorn Group in New Haven. All three do credit many of their former Hamden Hall teachers and coaches not only for their support, but also encouragement including the late former Lower School Director Andrew Niblock, current Middle School Director Brian Christman, math teacher Bruce Rich, former Boys’ Varsity Basketball Coach David Beckerman, former coach and current Senior Associate Director of Admissions Megan Borelli, and former coach and current Business Manager Keith Kaliszewski.

Alejandro graduated from Southern Connecticut State University in 2015 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science. Vic graduated from Saint Anselm College in Manchester, N.H., with a Bachelor of Science degree in criminal justice and was a member of the Hawks’ DII Varsity Basketball Team. Michael was a member of the Mens’ Varsity Basketball Team at Connecticut College where he graduated in 2020 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and government with a minor in economics.