John Barelli (2004) - Richmond Athletics Hall of Fame

John Barelli

Induction:
2004
Class:
1971

An overwhelming defensive tackle at Richmond who swallowed the opposition, John Barelli grew into an even more domineering figure as an elite security officer for some of the world's most precious art. A three-year starter on the Spider defensive line (1968-70), Barelli earned All-Southern Conference honors as a junior and senior and was an honorable mention All-American in 1970. While his playing career was certainly impressive, what Barelli accomplished upon graduation from Richmond (sociology, 1971), John Jay College of Criminal Justice (M.A. in 1977) and Fordham (Ph.D. in criminology, 1986) is equally extraordinary.

After two years as a Richmond police officer (1972-74), Barelli moved to the New York Botanical Gardens were he served as the security director from 1974-78. He later joined the Metropolitan Museum of Art where he served as security manager from 1987-2001 before being promoted to Chief Security Officer. An avid sports fan, Barelli worked with Major League Baseball and the National Baseball Hall of Fame as a special security consultant.