Background
Axelson, Joseph Allen was born on December 25, 1927 in Peoria. Son of Joseph Victor Axelson and Florence (Ealen) Massey.
publisher Professional athletics executive
Axelson, Joseph Allen was born on December 25, 1927 in Peoria. Son of Joseph Victor Axelson and Florence (Ealen) Massey.
Bachelor of Science, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, 1949.
Telegraph operator Illinois Central Operator, 1943—1950. With sports department Augusta Herald, Georgia, 1955. Sports information director Furman University, Greenville, South Carolina, 1956, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, 1957-1960, National Association Intercollegiate Athletics, Kansas City, Missouri, 1961-1962.
Tournament director Bowling Proprs. Association American, Park Ridge, Illinois, 1963-1964. Assistant executive secretary National Association Intercollegiate Athletics, Kansas City, Missouri, 1964-1968.
Executive vice president, general manager Cincinnati Royals Professional Basketball Team, Cincinnati, 1969-1972. Manager Cincinnati Gardens, 1970-1972. President, general manager Kansas City Kings Professional Basketball Team, Kansas City, Missouri, 1972-1979, 82-85.
Lecturer Fred Pryor Seminars, Overland Park, Kansas, 1978—1983. President, general manager Sacramento Kings Professional Basketball Team, 1985-1988, executive vice president, 1988-1990. President Arco Arena, Sacramento, 1985-1988.
Executive vice president Sacramento Sports Association, Arco Sports Complex, 1988-1990, Professional Team Publications, Inc., Stamford, Connecticut, 1991-1992. Public Between The Vines Newsletter, 1993—2005. Executive vice president operations National Basketball Association, New York City, 1979-1982, chairman competition and rules committee, 1975-1979.
Trustee Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. Co-host The Sports Page, Station KFMB-AM, San Diego, 1994-1997.
Member Emil Verban Memorial Society, Washington. Captain Signal Corps. Army of the United States, 1949-1954.
Member American Philatelic Society, Society for American Baseball Research, Morse Telegraph Club, Inc., Phi Kappa Psi (Hall of Fame Illinois 2006).
Married Malcolm Rae Smith, October 7, 1950 (deceased). Children: David Allen, Mark Stephen, Linda Rae.