What’s New at The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame?

By Heather Kate McCormack

With new attractions and exciting upcoming events, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame has much to offer sports fans everywhere.

In August, fans at the Hall of Fame witnessed the presentation of the Harlem Globetrotters’ team ball, which had traveled with the Space Shuttle Atlantis on its recent mission. It was the first ball ever to go into space, and the Hall of Fame received it straight from the air via the parachuting Globie, the Globetrotter’s mascot.

This summer the Hall of Fame added a special Michael Jordan exhibit, celebrating Jordan’s career with photographs, a highlight video, and a timeline of his achievements in anticipation of his upcoming enshrinement. The exhibit contains a number of incredible artifacts, including his championship rings and a display of the various sneakers that Jordan wore throughout his career. The Jordan memorabilia is a huge hit with all visitors to the Hall.

The Hall also recently launched a photography exhibit of the NBA Finals created by Andrew D. Bernstein, the Senior Director of NBA Photos. Nowhere else can fans see this collection of photographs depicting some of the greatest and most memorable moments in NBA Finals history. Bernstein, who attended U Mass Amherst, expressed his excitement about launching the exhibit at the Hall, saying, “To be able to return to Western Massachusetts, where my dream started, and have my work displayed in the Hall of Fame is unbelievably thrilling. The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame is the pinnacle of the sport. The recognition doesn’t get any better than this.”

The highlight of the year will be the enshrinement of the Class of 2009, deemed by many as the most talented group ever to be inducted together, making this induction a “must see” event. NBA.com headlines read: “The best ever?” emphasizing how special this incoming class is. Michael Jordan, David Robinson, John Stockton, Jerry Sloan, and C. Vivian Stringer will enter the hallowed Hall together on September 11, 2009.

Unlike previous enshrinements, the ceremony will take place at Springfield’s Symphony Hall so as to accommodate more than 2,500 people who are expected to attend. For those who do not have a ticket to the induction ceremony, the weekend will be filled with events that will give access to all fans. One event sure to draw fans downtown is the NBA D-League’s extreme fan interactive, D-League Jam Session, at the MassMutual Center Exhibit Hall. The D-League Jam Session will have activities of all sorts, including bungee runs, games, sling shots competitions, and more. Fans will also be able to test out the EA Sports new NBA Live 21 video game at the EA Live Lounge. The game will not be released until October, so the public will have the chance to check it out before it hits stores. A public pep rally on September 11 at noon at the MassMutual Center will also give fans the opportunity to be a part of this historic event.

This year’s enshrinement has attracted massive interest on both the national and global level. Fans everywhere can watch the induction ceremony, airing live on ESPN on Friday, September 11^th at 6:30 p.m. ET.

Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Announces 2009 Enshrinement Ceremony Presenters

SPRINGFIELD, MA – September 8, 2009 – The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame today announced the list of Hall of Fame players and coaches who will serve as presenters for the Enshrinement Ceremony of the Class of 2009, to be staged this Friday, September 11, 2009 in Springfield, Massachusetts. 

• Presenting Coach C. Vivian Stringer will be Hall of Fame Coach John Chaney

• Presenting Coach Jerry Sloan will be Hall of Fame player Charles Barkley

• Presenting John Stockton will be Hall of Fame player Isiah Thomas

• Presenting David Robinson will be Hall of Fame Coach Larry Brown and Hall of Fame player George Gervin

• Presenting Michael Jordan will be Hall of Fame player David Thompson

As tradition suggests, the incoming class for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremony was asked to select a previous inductee to accompany and present the new member of the Basketball Hall of Fame to his or her peers. The choice is solely the decision of the incoming Hall of Famer. The enshrinement ceremony for the Basketball Hall of Fame will be celebrated this Friday, September 11, 2009 at the Springfield Symphony Hall with coverage beginning at 6:30pm (ET) on ESPN. (Check local listings).

Arcadian Winery Center Court at the Basketball Hall of Fame

Solvang, CA (Sept 9, 2009)  Arcadian Winery has been selected as the exclusive wine for the Basketball Hall of Fame 2009 Reunion Dinner and Enshrinement Ceremony held September 10-12 in Springfield, Massachusetts. 

Joe Davis, Owner, Winegrower and Winemaker will attend the event with his wife Jill and present each class member with a signed magnum of Arcadian 2005 Dierberg Pinot Noir.  A magnum of Arcadian 2005 Hommage a Max Syrah will be signed by the class of 2009 to be donated to a children’s charity of Joe’s 6 year old son Max’ choice. 

 “We are thrilled and honored to be among these legends of basketball and to be the official wine sponsor for this historic ceremony,” said Davis. 

Davis has been renowned for his artistry with Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Syrah grapes for more than 25 years and consistently receives high praise for his Burgundian Style California wines. Arcadian Winery is located in Santa Rita Hills in the wine region of Santa Barbara County. 

For more information about Arcadian Winery and our recent wine reviews and news please visit www.arcadianwinery.com.

NBA TV and NBA.com to Deliver Extensive Multiplatform Coverage of the 2009 Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Weekend

NBA.com Launches Special Hall of Fame Page to Highlight Careers of Class of 2009 NBA TV to Dedicate a Full Week of Programming to Inductees

NBA TV and NBA.com will provide extensive coverage during the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement weekend in Springfield, Mass., which culminates with the induction ceremony on Friday, Sept. 11. NBA.com will launch a special page on Friday, Sept. 4, featuring timelines detailing the impressive careers of the inductees, commentary and thoughts from TNT NBA announcers Ernie Johnson, Marv Albert, Doug Collins, Kenny Smith, Reggie Miller and Charles Barkley, and retrospectives from NBA.com writers.

The 2009 class includes Michael Jordan, David Robinson, John Stockton, Jerry Sloan and C. Vivian Stringer; TNT analyst Doug Collins and New York Post writer Peter Vecsey will be recognized with the prestigious Curt Gowdy Media Awards, while Johnny “Red” Kerr will be honored posthumously with the John Bunn Award, the Hall’s highest honor other than enshrinement.

To tip off NBA TV’s Hall of Fame coverage, the network will dedicate programming to each inductee during the week and will premiere exclusive 30-minute specials produced by NBA Entertainment. Monday, Sept. 7 will highlight the Utah Jazz player/coach duo of John Stockton and Jerry Sloan; Tuesday, Sept. 8 will feature Spurs great David Robinson; and Wednesday, Sept. 9 and Thursday, Sept. 10, will be dedicated to the legendary Michael Jordan.

The week will culminate on Friday, Sept. 11 starting with NBA TV’s exclusive, live broadcast of the Red Carpet Show prior to the Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at 5:30 p.m. ET. Hosted by Rick Kamla and featuring reporters David Aldridge and Craig Sager, the program will showcase the arrivals of the inductees and their special guests as well as provide interviews with attendees and Hall of Famers before the ceremony begins.

In addition to the special Hall of Fame page on NBA.com, the site will post exclusive interviews from the many special guests attending the ceremonies, including Hall of Famers, former NBA players and coaches. NBA.com will also post the inductees’ speeches following the ceremony, along with the video compilations, voiced by Mike Breen, that will air during the ceremony to highlight the great moments and many achievements of each inductee.

On Thursday, Sept. 10, NBA.com will stream live the Special Awards Ceremony at 7:30 p.m. ET featuring Vecsey and Collins receiving the Curt Gowdy Media Awards, along with Ken Hudson, Bob Lanier and Alonzo Mourning, co-recipients of Mannie Jackson’s Basketball Human Spirit Award presented by CSX; and Kerr, recipient of the John Bunn Award.

NBA Digital is a landmark partnership between the NBA and Turner Sports to jointly manage the NBA’s digital assets, which include NBA TV, NBA.com, NBA League Pass, NBADLeague.com and WNBA.com.

Turner Sports, a division of Turner Broadcasting, Inc., presents some of the best and most popular sporting events worldwide and is a leader in televised and online sports programming. With events airing on TBS and TNT, Turner Sports’ line-up includes NASCAR and NASCAR.COM, the NBA, Major League Baseball, professional golf, PGATour.com and PGA.com. Turner Sports and the NBA also jointly manage NBA Digital, which includes NBA TV, NBA.com, NBA League Pass, NBADLeague.com and WNBA.com.

Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner company, creates and programs branded news, entertainment, animation and young adult media environments on television and other platforms for consumers around the world.

2009 Enshrinement: Media Schedule of Events

THURSDAY, 10 SEPTEMBER

· 3:00 P.M. – TYLER’S COURT DEDICATION DeBerry School, Springfield (PUBLIC WELCOME)

· 6:00 – 6:45 P.M. Hall of Fame Family Reception – Hall of Fame MassMutual Rooms & Concourse (By Invitation only.)  

· 6:45 P.M. – 9:00 P.M. Hall of Fame Family Reunion & Bunn/Gowdy Dinner featuring presentation of annual Bunn/Gowdy/Chairman’s Cup/Mannie Jackson Human Spirit Awards and a celebration of Hall of Fame Members from earlier Enshrinement Classes, CENTER COURT – Hall of Fame (Streamed on NBA.com) (By Invitation only.)

FRIDAY, 11 SEPTEMBER

· 10:00 AM - Class of 2009 Press Event – Center Court – Hall of Fame (Limited Ticket Availability)

· 10:00 AM Live Press Conference Feed

· Live on NBA TV and ESPN network

· 12:00 noon – Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame Class of 2009 Enshrinement Rally presented by Mohegan Sun with additional support from MassMutual Financial Group and the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority – MassMutual Center (PUBLIC WELCOME)

· 4:00 – 7:00 P.M. – Live ESPN Radio Broadcast – The Doug Gottlieb Show, ESPN National Broadcast - Symphony Hall

· 5:30 – 6:30 P.M. – Live “Red Carpet” Telecast – NBA TV, Symphony Hall

· 6:30 – 9:00 PM – Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony – Symphony Hall

· Live on ESPN & NBA TV

· Media (by Credential Only) at Mahogany Room, Second Floor, Symphony Hall

· 9:00 – 12:00 midnight. Hall of Fame Post-Enshrinement Gala – Hall of Fame (By invitation only)

SATURDAY, 12 SEPTEMBER

· 10:00 A.M. SHOTGUN START – MOHEGAN SUN ENSHRINEMENT GOLF INVITATIONAL (by Credential Only)

· 7:30 P.M. – Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Induction Celebration and Ring Ceremony – Unca’s Ballroom, Mohegan Sun Resort (By Invitation Only)