Naismith Coaches Circle
Honoring the First Coach
The Naismith Coaches Circle Program honors the First Coach, Dr. James Naismith and pays tribute to the core values he taught – Teamwork, Sportsmanship, Physical Fitness, Leadership, and Integrity. These principles are the foundation by which young men and women play the game and conduct their lives – on and off the court.
With the Coaches Circle Program, the Basketball Hall of Fame honors his vision by providing a pathway for today’s coaches to leave a legacy to those who inspired them. By sharing stories of their meaningful relationships and how their lives are impacted by these inspirations, the guests that learn from the coaches in the Coaches Circle can also impact their communities, players, peers and society in a positive manner.
Far too often, these incredible stories are left untold. The stories of the mentor-coach relationship; the story of compassion coaches have for their players; the story of a coach impacting a community. Now these stories and so many more will be made available through the Naismith Coaches Circle Program.
Coaches who are recognized in the Naismith Coaches Circle Exhibit.
Bold, Dark Blue Text = Legacy Exhibits (Benches created in honor/tribute by friends, family, players, and colleagues of the person.)
Steve Alford
Dana Altman
Geno Auriemma
Jim Boeheim
Mike Brey
Larry Brown
Jim Calhoun
John Calipari
Jeff Capel
Jody Conradt
Denny Crum
Jamie Dixon
Billy Donovan
Dan Fegan
Mark Few
Bill Fitch
Cotton Fitzsimmons
Dave Gavitt
Tim "GRG" Grgurich
Leonard Hamilton
Sylvia Hatchell**
Bob Huggins
Tom Izzo
Lon Kruger
Mike Krzyzewski
John MacLeod
Dan Majerle
Frank Martin
Rollie Massimino**
George Raveling
Bo Ryan
Bill Self
Dean Smith
Tubby Smith
C. Vivian Stringer
Pat Summitt
John Thompson, Jr.
Jim Valvano
Dick Vitale
Glenn Wilkes
Gary Williams
Roy Williams
John Wooden
Jay Wright
** Summer of 2023 Installation
Courtyard Unveiling Ceremony
The Statue of James Naismith is unveiled as part of the Coaches Circle at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
Jim Naismith, grandson of Dr. James Naismith, sits on the Coaches Circle Statue, during the unveiling ceremony.
Coach John Calipari, Hall of Fame Class of 2015 and Naismith Coaches Circle participant, unveils his bench dedication for the first time.
DR. JAMES NAISMITH - THE FIRST COACH
Today, under the core values of The First Coach, the Naismith statue is inscribed with inspirational quotes from some of basketball's famous coaches.
THE COACHES CIRCLE DEDICATIONS
Decorating the courtyard, these granite benches pay tribute to those coaches who joined the Naismith Coaches Circle Program. These coaches have taught and inspired so many while positively effecting communities and society in a meaningful way.
For more information or to participate in the Naismith Coaches Circle program, please contact Scott Zuffelato, the Hall of Fame’s Vice President of Philanthropy, at (413) 231-5506 or by email: [email protected].