Thursday, September 21, 2023

- John Calipari to Serve as Host of the Annual Charity Event -

PHOENIX, ARIZ. – The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame will hold its 12th annual Jerry Colangelo Golf Classic on September 28 (reception) and 29 (golf tournament) at The Wigwam in Litchfield Park, Arizona.

An exciting addition is coming to the Golf Classic this year, as Hall of Fame Coach John Calipari (Class of 2015) will serve as host of the weekend, which honors Jerry Colangelo and his commitment to the growth of the game.

This year’s field will once again bring out some of the biggest names in basketball, including Jerry Colangelo, Clyde Drexler, and Alonzo Mourning. Hall of Famers scheduled to participate include Dick Bavetta, Gary Blair, Nancy Lieberman, Ann Meyers Drysdale, Chris Mullin, Mitch Richmond, Ralph Sampson, and more. Celebrities such as Tim Doyle, Vinny Del Negro, and Shawn Marion are also expected to participate.

The Golf Classic will feature more than 30 Basketball Hall of Famers and basketball celebrities, with one represented in each foursome. On Thursday, guests will be treated to a special Welcome Reception and Dinner and a Silent Auction at The Wigwam with premium basketball memorabilia and experiences.

“We could not be happier to be returning to The Wigwam for the 12th year, where our participants will enjoy the beautiful fall weather while using the premium golf facilities and be treated to luxurious accommodations,” said John L. Doleva, President & CEO of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. “Through the Jerry Colangelo Basketball Hall of Fame Golf Classic, we are able to raise funds for our annual initiatives to educate and entertain while preserving the history of basketball.”

The site of the Golf Classic, The Wigwam, is an iconic Arizona property that exemplifies all the best of resort life. The resort features luxurious accommodations, exceptional cuisine, an extensive spa, recreational facilities, and three 18-hole championship golf courses.

Proceeds from the event will benefit the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. For more information, please visit hoophall.com or call 1-877-4HOOPLA.

About Jerry Colangelo
Jerry Colangelo is the Chairman of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Board, as well as the Chairman of USA Basketball’s Board of Directors and architect of the 2008 USA “Redeem Team” Gold Medal winning effort. One of the most innovative and influential owners in NBA history, Jerry Colangelo has spent most of his life involved with the game of basketball. A graduate of the University of Illinois, where he earned All-Conference honors as a player, Colangelo began his NBA career in 1966 with the Chicago Bulls' front office. In 1968, he became the youngest general manager in professional sports with the expansion Phoenix Suns. In only his second season with the new club, Colangelo turned the Suns into a legitimate playoff threat. In 1976, Colangelo received his first Sporting News NBA Executive of the Year award for taking the Suns to the NBA Finals. A respected member of the NBA Board of Governors, Colangelo played an integral role in the formation of the WNBA in 1997. He has also served on the NBA's Long Range Planning Committee, the Expansion Committee, and the Competition and Rules Committee. Continuing his transformation of downtown Phoenix, Mr. Colangelo was also instrumental in bringing major league baseball to Phoenix in 1998 and served as Chairman and CEO of the 2001 World Champion Arizona Diamondbacks. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as a Contributor in 2004. Mr. Colangelo was also critically involved in bringing NHL Hockey to Phoenix. Center Court at the Basketball Hall of Fame was dedicated as the Jerry Colangelo Court of Dreams.
 
About the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame
Located in Springfield, Massachusetts, the city where basketball was born, the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame is an independent non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to promoting, preserving and celebrating the game of basketball at every level – men and women, amateur and professional players, coaches and contributors, both domestically and internationally. The Hall of Fame museum is home to more than 400 inductees and over 40,000 square feet of basketball history. Nearly 200,000 people visit the Hall of Fame museum each year to learn about the game, experience the interactive exhibits and test their skills on the Jerry Colangelo "Court of Dreams." Best known for its annual marquee Enshrinement Ceremony honoring the game’s elite, the Hall of Fame also operates over 70 high school and collegiate competitions annually throughout the country and abroad. For more information on the Basketball Hall of Fame organization, its museum and events, visit hoophall.com, follow @hoophall or call 1-877-4HOOPLA.