-- Week-long Basketball Festival to be staged in Springfield, culminating with Enshrinement Ceremony at Springfield’s Symphony Hall --

SPRINGFIELD, MA – The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame today announced new plans for its annual Enshrinement Ceremony, now scheduled for August 13, 2010 in Springfield, Massachusetts, the birthplace of basketball.  The enshrinement ceremony will be staged at Springfield’s Symphony Hall, highlighting a week-long series of events celebrating basketball for youth, families and the local community.

“After careful consideration, the Basketball Hall of Fame is moving the date of the Enshrinement Ceremonies for 2010 and the foreseeable future,” said Chairman of the Basketball Hall of Fame Board Jerry Colangelo.  “There are a variety of reasons for the change from the mid-September date, not the least is the fact that the 2010 FIBA Men’s World Championship will be held in Istanbul, Turkey from August 28 to September 12. After weighing many options, we believe the second weekend of August is a better fit for everyone involved in the enshrinement ceremonies.”

The finalists for the Class of 2010 will be announced on Friday, February 12 and will be amongst the greatest candidates for enshrinement in recent history, including last year’s legendary class. Eligible and nominated this year for consideration for the Class of 2010 are players Karl Malone and Scottie Pippen, the late Coach Jim Valvano, and the 1992 USA Basketball “Dream Team,” among many others.

“With the prior dates in direct conflict with the Men’s World Championship and the real possibility of a Hall of Fame tribute to the ’92 USA Basketball Dream Team by members of the USA teams, both past and present, we feel confident that the week leading to August 13^th will be the perfect time to celebrate the enshrinement of the Class of 2010,” said John L. Doleva, President and CEO of the Basketball Hall of Fame. “We will work with the local community and our growing number of business partners to schedule a week of activities for fans who can plan a trip to Springfield as part of their summer vacations.”

Detailed plans for the 2010 Basketball Festival will be announced at a later date, but basketball fans can expect new exhibits at the Hall of Fame, community events, a major 3-on-3 tournament, and basketball clinics for fans and coaches, along with appearances by Hall of Famers, basketball legends and celebrities.  Tickets for the 2010 Enshrinement ceremonies will go on sale on February 12 when the finalists are announced at a press conference as part of the NBA All-Star Game in Dallas.

“The Basketball Hall of Fame continues to be an innovative partner and a critically important resource in creating new events that help drive the economic tourism engine here in Western Massachusetts” said Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno.  “We are extremely excited about this new, extended Basketball Festival and look forward to working with the Hall and the entire community to maximize these opportunities for Springfield and the entire region.”

Last year’s Basketball Hall of Fame enshrinement was among the most successful events in the Hall’s history, as Springfield welcomed the legendary class of Michael Jordan, David Robinson, Coach C. Vivian Stringer, Coach Jerry Sloan and John Stockton as the Class of 2009. The enshrinement ceremony was staged for the first time in Springfield’s Symphony Hall, where the elegant setting also doubled seating capacity.  The event was televised globally by ESPN and was supported by several local community events, including a public rally at Springfield’s MassMutual Center. 

“These new plans allow the Basketball Hall of Fame to make our premier event more accessible to fans as we establish a week long celebration designed to reach all of the Hall’s constituencies,” said Doleva. “The Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement of 2010 will make a positive social and economic impact for the city of Springfield and the entire region while providing basketball fans and tourists from all over the world with a great reason to visit the Hall of Fame and the birthplace of basketball.”

Located in Springfield, Massachusetts, the birthplace of basketball, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame promotes and preserves the game of basketball at every level – professional, collegiate, men and women.  For information, please visit our website at www.hoophall.com or call 1-877-4-HOOPLA.