Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Gets 'Committed To The Dream' With New Exhibit
Tuesday, July 27, 2010 SPRINGFIELD, MA July 27, 2010 – The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame has announced the opening of “Committed to the Dream,” a 4,000 square foot exhibit created designed to celebrate the journey, heritage and birthplace of the USA Men's National Basketball Team. The exhibit, created by the Hall in partnership with Nike, is now open to all hall visitors at no additional cost and honors the past, present and future of the sport by paying homage to eight iconic moments in USA Basketball Olympic history. “Committed to the Dream” opens just weeks before the weeklong “Celebration of Basketball” festival ushering in Enshrinement 2010: August 7 – August 14, 2010. For additional information on the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass., including a complete list of all Enshrinement 2010 events, to purchase tickets, view all summer events and activities visit www.hoophall.com
"We are proud to partner with Nike to create this exhibit and honor two of USA Basketball's most celebrated and respected teams," said John L. Doleva, President and CEO of the Basketball Hall of Fame. “The ‘Committed To The Dream’ exhibit brings new energy and provides an incredible experience for basketball fans as part of our ‘Celebration of Basketball’ week when we pay tribute to the 1960 and 1992 USA Olympic Teams and all of the inductees in the distinguished Class of 2010."
About the Exhibit:
- Eight moments in USA Basketball history are highlighted including moments from: 1936, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1992, 1996, 2000 and 2008.
- A special place in the exhibit highlights the most innovate products in the Hyperfuse, Hyperdunk 2010 and Hyper Elite shorts that Nike has created for the 2010 USA Basketball team to wear while competing in the World Basketball Championship in Turkey.
- The exhibit also highlights the eight moments with compelling photography, artifacts owned by the Basketball Hall of Fame and original design by Nike.
- Key design elements of the space include: eight light boxes which highlights specific moments in USA Basketball history, a USA flag footwear wall comprised of Nike Hyperfunk footwear, iconic parquet flooring featuring red, white and blue coloring, a USA Basketball jersey chandelier with a gold-colored basketball and a USA chainlink fence installation.
Highlights of the “Celebration of Basketball” week include: a monument unveiling at “Mason Square” where the first game of basketball was played; “HOOPS & HEROES,” a ‘First Responders’ basketball tournament with representative teams from police, firefighters and other civil service departments; a Wheelchair Basketball Celebration at the Hall featuring the US Wheelchair Paralympic Team; a “Children’s Day at the Hall,” featuring basketball clinics and special appearances for kids; and a public rally to welcome the Class of 2010 on August 13th.
The Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2010 consists of eight individuals and two teams. The inductees include: Jerry Buss, Cynthia Cooper, Bob Hurley, Sr., Karl Malone and Scottie Pippen, along with two celebrated teams: the 1960 USA Men’s Olympic team and the 1992 USA Basketball “Dream Team.” The Class of 2010 also includes three legendary players: Dennis Johnson, Gus Johnson and international star Maciel “Ubiratan” Pereira, all of whom will be honored posthumously.
The Basketball Hall of Fame’s Facebook and Twitter pages are great ways to stay informed about Enshrinement Week and all of this summers news and events happening at the Hall. Follow HoopHall on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Springfield-MA/Naismith-Memorial-Basketball-Hall-of-Fame/71673815971?ref=ts and on Twitter at http://twitter.com/hoophall