The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, in cooperation with the Highland Street Foundation, will open its doors to all visitors for complimentary admission this Saturday, September 4th, 2010.
No purchase necessary; guests need not bring in any coupon or ID. Visitors can check in at the Hall of Fame’s admissions booth in the Main Concourse to receive their complimentary ticket. The free admission ticket grants visitors access to the museum, feature exhibits, Center Court Contests, and movie showings in the Theater. The Hall of Fame’s hours of operation for this particular Saturday will be from 10am to 4pm.
Featuring hundreds of exhibits from basketball’s storied 119 year history, the Basketball Hall of Fame offers a full day of learning and fun for enthusiasts of all ages and degrees. The museum includes interactive kiosks, memorabilia galleries, and a full-size regulation basketball court to practice dribbling, passing and shooting. Guests can become sportscasters in the media wing and play one-on-one in virtual hoop against some of today’s best players. Available to view for a limited time only, feature exhibits in and around the special exhibit gallery on the museum’s second floor are key attractions.
Regularly, the Hall of Fame is open daily from 10am to 6pm Monday – Saturday, and Sunday from 10am – 5pm. Regular adult admission is $16.99 and $11.99 for ages 5-15. Under 5 years is FREE. Senior Citizens can enjoy a discount admission of $13.99. Annual Pass is $39.99. Parking is FREE. For complete information on up-to-date hours of operation, groups of 15 or more, or multi-day tickets click here or call 877-4HOOPLA.
ABOUT THE HIGHLAND STREET FOUNDATION-
The Highland Street Foundation is a private, Massachusetts-based family foundation established in 1989 by the McGrath Family. In 2009, Highland Street Foundation celebrated its 20th Anniversary, and has contributed more than $112 million to non-profit organizations. Areas of interest include: Affordable Housing, Healthcare, Education, Mentoring, Environment, and the Arts. Free Fun Fridays is one of Highland Street Foundation’s signature programs. The program launched last year with 10 locations. This year, the program was expanded to include free admission to 26 museums and cultural attractions.
To learn more about Highland Street Foundation, please visit www.highlandstreet.org.
]]>“We are very proud to present Jim Vinick with the 2010 Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Chairman’s Cup,” said Hall of Fame Board Chairman Jerry Colangelo. “Jim is a long-serving member of our Board who has consistently given selflessly in his many years of service to the Hall. Clearly, his commitment to the Basketball Hall of Fame is second to none and his love of the institution is unparalleled.”
Vinick grew up in Springfield, Mass., not far from the original Hall of Fame on the campus of Springfield College. He is a 1962 graduate of Boston University - School of Management and later attended the New York Institute of Finance. Vinick was the recipient of the Boston University School of Management Distinguished Alumni Award and is very involved in raising money for The Jimmy Fund at Dana Farber Cancer Institute in memory of his late son, Jeffrey. Vinick was the recipient of the Jimmy Fund’s Bob Cheyne Lifetime Commitment Award. He currently serves as Senior Vice President of Moors & Cabot Investments. Prior to Moors & Cabot, he held posts as Senior VP at Advest, Inc., Dean Witter Reynolds and at Sherson-Hammill. During the 1980's and 1990's Vinick worked as the financial editor and commentator of WGGB-TV 40 and as a financial editor of WHYN AM-FM Affiliated Broadcasting.
Vinick helped foster the first Basketball Hall of Fame on the Campus of Springfield College and has been an enthusiastic supporter of the museum ever since, contributing to the success of the Hall while being very proud of its presence in his hometown of Springfield. The Hall of Fame has been privileged to help Vinick honor his late son, Jeffrey, with the Jeffrey Vinick Locker Room exhibit at the previous Hall of Fame, built in 1985, and at the new Hall with the dedication of the flagpole and monument gracing the front of the building.
“On behalf of all of your colleagues and friends at the Hall of Fame, we extend our sincere best wishes and congratulations on this well deserved honor,” said Basketball Hall of Fame President and CEO, John L. Doleva. “We are grateful for your service and will continue to rely on your passion, commitment, expertise and generosity as we continue to make the Basketball Hall of Fame the best it can be.”
]]>"It's a dream I could have never dreamed," WNBA great Cynthia Cooper said of her selection to the Hall of Fame, "but it came true."
High school coaching legend Bob Hurley, Sr., echoed the feeling after being introduced moments later.
"Dreams come true," Hurley said.
This year’s class of inductees also includes Dr. Jerry Buss, Karl Malone and Scottie Pippen, along with two celebrated teams: the 1960 US Men’s Olympic team and the 1992 US Men’s Olympic team, known as the “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.
Malone and Pippen were members of the 1992 "Dream Team," along with Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson and Charles Barkley.
We had fun every day," Barkley said of the experience in Barcelona. "There were no egos."
Jerry West, speaking for the members of the 1960 Olympic team that won a gold medal in Rome, said the experience was a singular moment in his lifetime.
"It's so gratifying to share this with my teammates," West said of the squad that included Oscar Robertson, Jerry Lucas and Walt Bellamy. "The greatest thrill of my life was to win a gold medal."
The enshrinement ceremony will take place at 7 PM (ET) at Springfield Symphony Hall and will be televised by NBA TV.
More on this year’s class:
JERRY BUSS – Contributor, has owned the Los Angeles Lakers since 1979, building one of the most successful organizations in the history of professional sports. The Lakers have won 10 NBA championships and 17 Western Conference titles during his tenure.
CYNTHIA COOPER – Player, is a champion in every sense of the word. She led the University of Southern California to two NCAA titles. As a member of the Houston Comets, she won four WNBA Championships and was named WNBA Finals MVP time. Cooper won an Olympic Gold Medal in 1988 to go along with two FIBA Women’s World Championship Gold Medals.
ROBERT “Bob” HURLEY, Sr. – Coach, has since compiled over 900 wins at St. Anthony’s High School in New Jersey while leading the team to 25 State Parochial Championships and three USA Today National Championships (1989, 1996, 2008). Hurley was twice named National Coach of the Year by USA Today (1989, 1996).
DENNIS JOHNSON – Player, who died on Feb. 22, 2007, was one of basketball’s toughest defenders, earning nine consecutive NBA All-Defensive team honors during his 14-year professional career. He was a major part of three NBA championship teams and won MVP honors at the 1979 Finals as a member of the Seattle SuperSonics. He finished his NBA career with the Boston Celtics (1983-90), winning NBA championship rings in 1984 and 1986.
GUS JOHNSON – Player, was a five-time NBA All-Star (1965, ‘68-71) and a two-time member of the NBA’s All-Defensive team (1970 and ’71). Johnson helped lead the Baltimore Bullets to five playoff appearances in nine seasons, including the 1971 NBA Finals. He played 10 years in the NBA, scored 9,944 points (17.1 ppg) and grabbed 7,379 rebounds (12.7 rpg). Johnson also played for the Phoenix Suns (1972-73) and was a member of the 1973 ABA Champion Indiana Pacers. (Born: Dec. 13,1938; Died: April 29,1987)
KARL MALONE – Player, was a two-time NBA Most Valuable Player (1997, ’99) and a 14-time NBA All-Star for the Utah Jazz. He was named one of the NBA’s 50 Greatest Players in 1996 and ranks second on the NBA’s all-time scoring list with 36,928 points. Malone was selected as an All-NBA first team forward from 1989-99 and was named to the league’s All-Defensive first team from 1997-99. He won two Olympic gold medals, competing as a member of the 1992 USA Basketball “Dream Team” and the 1996 USA Olympic champions. Malone played collegiately at Louisiana Tech from 1981-1985. He finished his NBA career with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2003-04.
MACIEL “UBIRATAN” PEREIRA – Player, was known as “The King” in his native Brazil. He earned a gold medal at the 1963 World Championship, a silver medal at the 1970 World Championship and a bronze medal at the 1964 Olympic Games. Closer to home, he won five South American Championships and 11 titles in the São Paulo League in Brazil. He played in three Olympic Games for Brazil and was inducted as a player to the FIBA Hall of Fame in September, 2009. He was awarded the FIBA “Order of Merit” honor. (Born: Jan.18,1944; Died: July 17, 2002).
SCOTTIE PIPPEN – Player, was a seven-time NBA All-Star (1990, 1992-97) and a member of six NBA championship teams with the Chicago Bulls (1991-93, 1996-98). He was a three-time All-NBA first team honoree and was voted to the NBA All-Defensive first team from 1992-99, along with two stints on the All-Defensive second team. Pippen won two Olympic gold medals as he was a member of the 1992 USA Basketball “Dream Team” and returned to help lead the USA to gold at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta. He won NBA All-Star MVP honors in 1994. Pippen also played with the Houston Rockets (1998-99) and Portland Trail Blazers (1999-2003). He is a native of Hamburg, Arkansas and played collegiately at the University of Central Arkansas (1983-87).
1960 USA OLYMPIC TEAM – Team, compiled an 8-0 record at the Rome Olympic Games and won its games by an average margin of 42.4 points. Ten players went on to play in the NBA and six team members have been enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, including coaches Pete Newell and Dutch Lonborg. The Hall of Fame players from the ’60 team are Walt Bellamy, Jerry Lucas, Oscar Robertson and Jerry West. Lucas and Robertson led the team in scoring with 17.0 ppg as the team averaged 101.9 ppg while holding its opponents to 59.5 ppg, a 42.4 point margin of victory. The 1960 team was inducted into the USA Olympic Hall of Fame in 1984.
1992 USA OLYMPIC TEAM known as “The Dream Team” – Team, compiled an 8-0 record at the Barcelona Olympic Games with an average margin of victory of 43.8. Coached by a Hall of Famer, the late Chuck Daly, the “Dream Team” was the first team made up primarily of NBA players, eligible to compete in international basketball for the first time because of the change of FIBA rules in 1989. Eight players from the team have been enshrined into the Basketball Hall of Fame, and two more (Malone and Pippen) are in the Class of 2010. The prior inductees include Charles Barkley, Larry Bird, Clyde Drexler, Patrick Ewing, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, David Robinson, and John Stockton. Hall of Fame coaches Mike Krzyzewski and Lenny Wilkens assisted Daly, while Chris Mullin, a 2010 Hall of Fame finalist, and college standout Christian Laettner of Duke University completed the roster. The ’92 Dream team was inducted into the USA Olympic Hall of Fame in 2009.
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This year’s class of inductees includes Dr. Jerry Buss, Cynthia Cooper, Bob Hurley, Sr., Karl Malone and Scottie Pippen, along with two celebrated teams: the 1960 US Men’s Olympic team and the 1992 US Men’s Olympic team, known as the “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 enshrinement ceremony is scheduled for 7PM (ET) on Friday, Aug. 13, at Springfield Symphony Hall and will be televised by NBA TV.
“We are very proud to introduce the historic Class of 2010, a diverse and distinguished group,” said John L. Doleva, President and CEO of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
“It represents each facet of the game and does so in a spectacular way. The professional game, the amateur game, the high school game, the women’s game and the international game each have remarkable inductees. To have the two U.S. Olympic teams coming in and to have each member of both teams arriving in Springfield to celebrate the occasion is outstanding,” said Doleva.
Doleva said all living members of the two teams are scheduled to attend the Enshrinement, as including Oscar Robertson, Jerry West, Jerry Lucas and Walt Bellamy – the Hall of Famers from the 1960 team, who will join the members of the famed ’92 Dream Team, including Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Michael Jordan, Chris Mullin, John Stockton, David Robinson, Scottie Pippen, Karl Malone, Charles Barkley and others.
More on this year’s class:
JERRY BUSS – Contributor, has owned the Los Angeles Lakers since 1979, building one of the most successful organizations in the history of professional sports. The Lakers have won 10 NBA championships and 17 Western Conference titles during his tenure.
CYNTHIA COOPER – Player, is a champion in every sense of the word. She led the University of Southern California to two NCAA titles. As a member of the Houston Comets, she won four WNBA Championships and was named WNBA Finals MVP time. Cooper won an Olympic Gold Medal in 1988 to go along with two FIBA Women’s World Championship Gold Medals.
ROBERT “Bob” HURLEY, Sr. – Coach, has since compiled over 900 wins at St. Anthony’s High School in New Jersey while leading the team to 25 State Parochial Championships and three USA Today National Championships (1989, 1996, 2008). Hurley was twice named National Coach of the Year by USA Today (1989, 1996).
DENNIS JOHNSON – Player, who died on Feb. 22, 2007, was one of basketball’s toughest defenders, earning nine consecutive NBA All-Defensive team honors during his 14-year professional career. He was a major part of three NBA championship teams and won MVP honors at the 1979 Finals as a member of the Seattle SuperSonics. He finished his NBA career with the Boston Celtics (1983-90), winning NBA championship rings in 1984 and 1986.
GUS JOHNSON – Player, was a five-time NBA All-Star (1965, ‘68-71) and a two-time member of the NBA’s All-Defensive team (1970 and ’71). Johnson helped lead the Baltimore Bullets to five playoff appearances in nine seasons, including the 1971 NBA Finals. He played 10 years in the NBA, scored 9,944 points (17.1 ppg) and grabbed 7,379 rebounds (12.7 rpg). Johnson also played for the Phoenix Suns (1972-73) and was a member of the 1973 ABA Champion Indiana Pacers. (Born: Dec. 13,1938; Died: April 29,1987)
KARL MALONE – Player, was a two-time NBA Most Valuable Player (1997, ’99) and a 14-time NBA All-Star for the Utah Jazz. He was named one of the NBA’s 50 Greatest Players in 1996 and ranks second on the NBA’s all-time scoring list with 36,928 points. Malone was selected as an All-NBA first team forward from 1989-99 and was named to the league’s All-Defensive first team from 1997-99. He won two Olympic gold medals, competing as a member of the 1992 USA Basketball “Dream Team” and the 1996 USA Olympic champions. Malone played collegiately at Louisiana Tech from 1981-1985. He finished his NBA career with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2003-04.
MACIEL “UBIRATAN” PEREIRA – Player, was known as “The King” in his native Brazil. He earned a gold medal at the 1963 World Championship, a silver medal at the 1970 World Championship and a bronze medal at the 1964 Olympic Games. Closer to home, he won five South American Championships and 11 titles in the São Paulo League in Brazil. He played in three Olympic Games for Brazil and was inducted as a player to the FIBA Hall of Fame in September, 2009. He was awarded the FIBA “Order of Merit” honor. (Born: Jan.18,1944; Died: July 17, 2002).
SCOTTIE PIPPEN – Player, was a seven-time NBA All-Star (1990, 1992-97) and a member of six NBA championship teams with the Chicago Bulls (1991-93, 1996-98). He was a three-time All-NBA first team honoree and was voted to the NBA All-Defensive first team from 1992-99, along with two stints on the All-Defensive second team. Pippen won two Olympic gold medals as he was a member of the 1992 USA Basketball “Dream Team” and returned to help lead the USA to gold at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta. He won NBA All-Star MVP honors in 1994. Pippen also played with the Houston Rockets (1998-99) and Portland Trail Blazers (1999-2003). He is a native of Hamburg, Arkansas and played collegiately at the University of Central Arkansas (1983-87).
1960 USA OLYMPIC TEAM – Team, compiled an 8-0 record at the Rome Olympic Games and won its games by an average margin of 42.4 points. Ten players went on to play in the NBA and six team members have been enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, including coaches Pete Newell and Dutch Lonborg. The Hall of Fame players from the ’60 team are Walt Bellamy, Jerry Lucas, Oscar Robertson and Jerry West. Lucas and Robertson led the team in scoring with 17.0 ppg as the team averaged 101.9 ppg while holding its opponents to 59.5 ppg, a 42.4 point margin of victory. The 1960 team was inducted into the USA Olympic Hall of Fame in 1984.
1992 USA OLYMPIC TEAM known as “The Dream Team” – Team, compiled an 8-0 record at the Barcelona Olympic Games with an average margin of victory of 43.8. Coached by a Hall of Famer, the late Chuck Daly, the “Dream Team” was the first team made up primarily of NBA players, eligible to compete in international basketball for the first time because of the change of FIBA rules in 1989. Eight players from the team have been enshrined into the Basketball Hall of Fame, and two more (Malone and Pippen) are in the Class of 2010. The prior inductees include Charles Barkley, Larry Bird, Clyde Drexler, Patrick Ewing, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, David Robinson, and John Stockton. Hall of Fame coaches Mike Krzyzewski and Lenny Wilkens assisted Daly, while Chris Mullin, a 2010 Hall of Fame finalist, and college standout Christian Laettner of Duke University completed the roster. The ’92 Dream team was inducted into the USA Olympic Hall of Fame in 2009.
This year, the annual Enshrinement has expanded from a two-day event to a full-week of activities created for local area fans and visitors of all ages travelling to Springfield from across the country.
Linking the entire week’s activities and the Enshrinement together is the installation of a permanent monument in Mason Square that permanently marks the site of the first basketball game. The major project to recognize Mason Square’s unique place in basketball history has broad and enthusiastic support throughout Springfield from the neighborhoods, the city, and the Basketball Hall of Fame. The monument – two brass statues, one seven-feet in height, of a player from 1891 passing a basketball to a youth of today from Mason Square – symbolically marks the game’s beginning, its impact today, and the future impact of basketball on the world stage was unveiled on Sunday, August 8, 2010 at a special ceremony.
The "Celebration of Basketball" concludes with a special event dinner at the Mohegan Sun Resort & Casino in Uncasville, CT on Saturday, August 14th. That is a ticketed event.
]]>NBA TV will air special programming each day to honor the inductees leading up to its live presentation of the Hall of Fame induction ceremony with in-depth features on Chicago Bulls great Scottie Pippen and Utah Jazz legend Karl Malone, archived footage, historical games, and specials produced by NBA Entertainment.
The greatly-anticipated 2010 Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony will feature the induction of Pippen, Malone, WNBA pioneer Cynthia Cooper, Los Angeles Lakers owner Dr. Jerry Buss, high school coaching legend Bob Hurley Sr., Brazilian basketball great, the late Maciel “Ubiratan” Pereira, and the 1992 and 1960 U.S. Men’s Gold Medal Winning Olympic Teams, as well as the late Dennis Johnson of the Boston Celtics and the late Gus Johnson of the Baltimore Bullets. Members of the 1992 and 1960 U.S. Men’s Olympic teams scheduled to attend the Enshrinement include: Charles Barkley, Larry Bird, Clyde Drexler, Patrick Ewing, Earvin ‘Magic’ Johnson, Michael Jordan, Christian Laettner, Karl Malone, Chris Mullin, Scottie Pippen, David Robinson and John Stockton from the 1992 Dream Team and Walt Bellamy, Jerry Lucas, Oscar Robertson and Jerry West from the 1960 team.
NBA TV and NBA.com’s line-up of Hall of Fame includes:
NBA.com will also honor the impressive careers of the Hall of Fame inductees with a special Hall of Fame page available at www.nba.com/halloffame/2010. The page will include inductee profiles, photo galleries and extensive video packages highlighting the honorees’ storied careers. NBA.com writer Scott Howard Cooper will be on-site covering the event. In addition, the site will post the inductees’ speeches immediately following the ceremony, to highlight the great moments and many achievements of each inductee.
Check local listings for NBA TV in your area.
]]>To mark the occasion, the Hall will provide each fan who attends the August 14th “Aaron Lewis & Friends” benefit concert -- benefitting the It Takes A Community Foundation at The Pines Theatre at Look Park (Northampton, Mass) with a ticket for free admission to the Hall of Fame museum to be used in the month of August, 2010. Partnering with ITAC, the Hall will donate athletic equipment to the Community Education Center in Worthington, MA, the initial community project the ITAC Foundation will benefit.
The It Takes A Community Foundation was founded by Lewis and his wife, Vanessa, with a focus on reviving rural communities throughout greater New England. The charity works with local leaders and community organizations that have firsthand knowledge of the needs of their communities. It strives to raise funds and support community groups who strengthen, engage and enrich the communities while providing assistance to communities in crisis.
With his honest, heartfelt lyrics, resounding guitar chords, and unmistakable voice, Aaron Lewis has led Staind to the forefront of American rock music. The Illusion of Progress, released in 2008, marked the band's fourth consecutive studio album to debut in the Top Three on the Billboard 200 and features the #1 alternative rock song, "Believe." The iconic hard rock group's decade-long career has seen worldwide album sales in excess of 13 million and five #1 singles spanning three different radio formats.
"I'm so honored that the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame has chosen to partner with me and the It Takes A Community Foundation to support our local community,” said Lewis. “I have a tremendous amount of gratitude for the organization for recognizing the need that ITAC strives to fill, and its willingness to help us achieve our shared goal of giving our kids the tools they need at an early age to achieve great things later on."
"We are thrilled to have Aaron Lewis and his foundation join the Basketball Hall of Fame's "Celebration of Basketball" festivities and we thank him for his participation at our "Children's Day" on August 10th," said Paul Lambert, Vice President, Guest Experience & Programming for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. "As a Springfield native, Aaron Lewis values the interconnection between basketball, music and education in our community. He has been working arduously through his "It Takes a Community" foundation to stress the importance of education and help improve opportunities for youth in our region."
For entry, normal Hall of Fame admission will need to be purchased by fans. There will be no additional charge to view the event which will run between Noon and 1pm on August 10.
]]>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
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Scheduled to Appear:
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Geno Auriemma, Charles Barkley, Rick Barry, Walt Bellamy, Larry Bird, Jim Boeheim, Jerry Buss, Jim Calhoun, Cynthia Cooper, Dave Cowens, Billy Cunningham, Clyde Drexler, Patrick Ewing, Marques Haynes, Tom Heinsohn, Bob Hurley Sr., Magic Johnson, KC Jones, Mike Krzyzewski, Nancy Lieberman, Meadowlark Lemon, Jerry Lucas, Karl Malone, Moses Malone, Ann Meyers-Drysdale, Earl Monroe, Scottie Pippen, Willis Reed, Oscar Robertson, David Robinson, John Stockton, C. Vivian Stringer, David Thompson, Wes Unseld, Jerry West, Lenny Wilkens, Lynette Woodard, James Worthy and many more!
Be sure to view our Week-Long Schedule of Events and information regarding Tickets!
]]>"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:
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
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SPRINGFIELD, MA – The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame has announced a weeklong “Celebration of Basketball” festival leading up to Enshrinement 2010, scheduled Saturday, August 7 through Saturday, August 14, 2010. This year's enshrinement will include the largest number of Hall of Famers to ever be assembled in Springfield, MA. The sport of basketball will call Springfield home as this world premiere basketball event stages celebrations and attractions devoted to the sport, the players and the exact location where the “first basketball game” was played on December 21, 1891. For a complete list of all Enshrinement 2010 events, to purchase tickets or to take advantage of all summer events and activities, visit http://www.hoophall.com/enshrinement-tickets/
Highlights of the week include: a monument unveiling at Springfield’s “Mason Square” where the first game of basketball was played; the inaugural “Hoops & Heroes” Tournament-- a ‘first responders’ tournament with local and regional representation from police, fire and other agencies benefiting Special Olympics Massachusetts; a Wheelchair Basketball Celebration at the Hall featuring the USA Gold Medal winning Wheelchair Paralympics Team; a “Children’s Day” featuring basketball clinics with NBA and collegiate players; a 96 team AAU National Tournament presented by the Chris Paul Foundation; and many other public events surrounding the induction of the Class of 2010.
"We enthusiastically welcome the world of basketball to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and to the city of Springfield to honor the game and its most elite participants. This is an event fans of all ages will want to attend,” said John L. Doleva, President and CEO of Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. “The ‘Celebration of Basketball’ week has more than doubled in size and scope from last year which will allow for more fan interaction and provide greater economic impact to the surrounding region.”
The Enshrinement 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.
With plans to continue the weeklong celebration for future years, the Basketball Hall of Fame has been able to partner with NIKE, as the presenting sponsor for all of this year's events, including additional premium sponsorships from the Chicago Bulls and MassMutual Financial Group.
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
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