Hollywood Icons and Devoted Fans to be Honored in Exclusive Ceremony Celebrating Unwavering Support for the Game
SPRINGFIELD, MASS. – The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame announced the addition of four new SuperFans to its James F. Goldstein SuperFan Gallery. Billy Crystal, Alan Horwitz, Spike Lee, and Jack Nicholson will be recognized during the Hall of Fame’s SuperFan Celebration on Sunday, October 13 at 1:00 PM on the Jerry Colangelo Court of Dreams.
The event will be held as part of the Hall’s Enshrinement Weekend festivities, at which a new class of Hall of Famers will be inducted during a ceremony beginning at 6:00 PM at Springfield’s Symphony Hall.
"We are excited to welcome Billy Crystal, Alan Horwitz, Spike Lee, and Jack Nicholson into our SuperFan family,” said John L. Doleva, President and CEO of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. “These individuals have not only been passionate fans but have also significantly contributed to the rich culture of basketball. Their unwavering dedication to the game and their ability to connect with fans make them truly deserving of this recognition."
These four celebrated SuperFans will join a group of basketball enthusiasts who have made a profound impact on the game through their loyalty, passion, and dedication. The Hall of Fame has previously honored Jim Goldstein, the gallery’s namesake, along with SuperFans Penny Marshall and Nav Bhatia. Both Goldstein and Bhatia, along with Crystal, Horwitz and Lee, will be in attendance during the SuperFan Celebration and the Hall’s prestigious Enshrinement Ceremony.
Established in 2018, the SuperFan Gallery was created to recognize and celebrate some of the most iconic and dedicated fans in basketball history. SuperFans are selected by the Hall of Fame's SuperFan Committee based on several criteria:
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A proven history of attending games for a particular team or teams
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A genuine love for basketball, demonstrated by their deep knowledge and passion
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A recognizable and respected reputation within the basketball community
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A profound respect and appreciation for the history of the game
The James F. Goldstein SuperFan Gallery, located on the second floor of the Basketball Hall of Fame Museum, showcases the unique stories, memorabilia, and apparel of these passionate fans. Visitors can learn about the inspiring journeys of these individuals and their impact on the basketball community.
For more information about the SuperFan Celebration and Enshrinement Weekend, please visit hoophall.com/events/enshrinement-2024/
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Quotes from SuperFan honorees |
“Well, I guess this means I'm not getting in as a player. Very grateful to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame for this honor. I merely represent all devoted fans of the game we love."
Billy Crystal
“I love the Sixers! It’s an honor and a privilege to be in the Superfan Hall of Fame Gallery with other passionate fans. My mother would never believe this if she were alive today.”
Alan Horwitz
“I knew the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame inducted players, coaches, and executives; however, I never knew that could happen for fans to be celebrated in the Hall. It’s been my experience that the best gifts I have received in my life were complete surprises. No inkling, no nuthin’, then BOOM—I got an unexpected phone call out of nowhere. I sincerely thank the Basketball Hall of Fame for this totally unexpected blessing for my love of basketball and my crazy love for the NEW YORK KNICKERBOCKERS!”
Spike Lee
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 450 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.