Puerto Rico's U-18 National Team to Compete in Feature Game of Basketball Triple-header at Mason Square World Basketball Festival, August 8th
Tuesday, August 3, 2010 The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame today announced additional details for the upcoming “Celebration of Basketball” festival, leading up to the Enshrinement of the Hall’s Class of 2010. The Hall of Fame and presenting partner Nike will stage an outdoor triple-header basketball exhibition on Sunday, August 8, to highlight Springfield’s World Basketball Festival at Mason Square. The event is open to the public and is free of charge.
The basketball triple-header at Mason Square will tip-off after a 2:00-2:45pm ceremony to unveil a new monument devoted to the sport, the players and the exact location where the very first basketball game was played on December 21, 1891 at a YMCA located at State and Sherman Streets in Mason Square.
The concept for the creation and dedication of the monument, along with the community-building efforts championed by local community organizers, the Hall of Fame and Nike, the presenting partner for the 2010 Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony, have been enthusiastically supported by the City of Springfield.
“We are thrilled to be working with the City of Springfield and Nike to stage this historic event at Mason Square,” said John L. Doleva, President and CEO of the Basketball Hall of Fame. “The enshrinement of the Hall of Fame’s Class of 2010 is making Springfield the center of the basketball world as we welcome thousands of fans who can participate in the “Celebration of Basketball” events, leading up to our induction ceremony on August 13th.”
After the monument dedication ceremony, Nike will stage an afternoon of basketball celebration from 3pm-6pm with plans to conduct special basketball activities, contests and Nike give-aways before during and after the three exhibition basketball games. The festival’s set-up will include a full-sized basketball court to be constructed at the site of the first basketball game ever played, a full stage with DJs and music from Hot 93.7 FM, plus live performances by featured artists, including R&B singer Leon Spradley (halftime of first game) and a dance performance by Kim’s Danceland Teen Group (halftime of second game).
The August 8 schedule includes a 3pm exhibition between the New England Crusaders girls basketball team versus Connecticut’s Premier AAU girls, then at 4pm, the boys will take the court for a game between Springfield All-Stars and New England All-Stars. The day culminates with an exhibition game featuring the Puerto Rico “Under 18 Year Old” men’s national team against “BABC,” the Boston Amateur Basketball Club, scheduled to start at 5pm.
Schedule
2pm – Unveiling & Dedication of Monument at Mason Square
3pm - New England Crusaders Girls vs. Connecticut Premier AAU Girls
4pm - Springfield All-Stars vs. New England All-Stars
5pm - Puerto Rico’s U18 vs. Boston Amateur Basketball Club (BABC)
For additional information on the Basketball Hall of Fame, including a complete list of all Enshrinement 2010 events, instructions on how to purchase tickets, and to view all summer events and activities, please visit www.hoophall.com