Joseph G. Echols Hall has served as Norfolk State’s basketball arena, primary athletics facility and the home for the school’s Army Reserve Officer Training Corps since it opened its doors in November 1982. It has a seating capacity of 7,000 people, making it the second-largest in capacity among Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference teams. Echols Hall also serves as the home for NSU women’s volleyball contests. 

The building was named after the late Joseph Echols, who dedicated more than 20 years to the advancement of athletics, health and physical education at NSU. 

A native of Englewood, N.J., Echols was a multi-sport standout at both St. Cecelia High School and Virginia State University before beginning a professional baseball career with the Newark Eagles. After that, Echols served in the Air Force, where he reached the rank of First Lieutenant. 

In 1955, Echols came as an instructor to the Norfolk Division of Virginia State College (now NSU), where he later helped pioneer the development of an overall athletic program at the school. It was his foresight that led to the creation of varsity sports in baseball, track and field, wrestling, swimming, tennis and golf. 

During his illustrious career, Echols served as an official in the CIAA, the Virginia Interscholastic Association and the Virginia High School League, and also as commissioner of the Hampton Roads Board of Officials. He was eventually named president of the International Association of Approved Basketball Officials, and later was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame.