Education, Service and the Game of Basketball to be Celebrated with Court Dedication, High School Assemblies, Community Luncheons and Youth Basketball Clinic
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – The evening of Friday, September 7th, basketball enthusiasts from coast-to-coast will focus on Springfield, Mass., the birthplace of basketball and home of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Fans will line the streets and the Class of 2018 will give induction speeches at the landmark Symphony Hall. While the Enshrinement Ceremony is of course the focal point of the weekend’s festivities, new inductees, award winners, and Hall of Famers will be participating in a number of community relations initiatives surrounding this megaevent.
On Wednesday, September 5th at 1:00 PM ET, Nancy Lieberman Charities in partnership with Sport Court, will team-up with the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, the Springfield Police Department and the City of Springfield to open a Dream Court at Adams Park. A dedication ceremony will be held with Springfield Mayor Sarno, Police Commissioner Barbieri and Basketball Hall of Fame President and CEO John Doleva, followed by a ribbon cutting and an open-court shootaround for children with Nancy Lieberman (Class of 1996) and the Springfield Police Department.
Friday, September 7th will be an impactful day with four of community events taking place in the greater Springfield area prior to the ceremony. Class of 2018 inductees Ray Allen and Katie Smith will visit the Springfield High School of Commerce to engage with students and offer words of wisdom and encouragement while discussing their roads to the Hall of Fame.
Concurrently, J.J. Barea of the Dallas Mavericks will be visiting Holyoke High School to visit with Puerto Rican residents displaced by hurricane devastation in their homeland. Barea, a Puerto-Rican native, will be awarded the 2018 Mannie Jackson Human Spirit Award for his swift and sustained relief efforts following Hurricane Maria. Barea will also be addressing the larger student population to discuss his career, the importance of school attendance and giving back.
The afternoon of the 7th, the Hall of Fame will be partnering with the Beta Sigma Boulé chapter of the Sigma Pi Phi fraternity and Springfield College to present the third annual Education and Leadership Luncheon to inspire and celebrate Springfield area students. Class of 2018 inductee Grant Hill will be on hand to offer remarks on his life and success both on the court and off.
In a private event, Class of 2018 inductee Charlie Scott will join the Springfield Rotary Club for a special luncheon and discussion surrounding the topic of “Service Above Self.”
The morning of Saturday, September 8th, the National Basketball Retried Players Association, National Basketball Coaches Association and Jr. NBA will host a Full Court Press: Prep for Success event at the Basketball Hall of Fame. The event will be led by Hall of Famers Isiah Thomas (Class of 2000), Cynthia Cooper-Dyke (Class of 2010), Teresa Edwards (Class of 2011), Spencer Haywood (Class of 2015), and Grant Hill (Class of 2018).
Following the weekend’s festivities, Curt Gowdy Media Award winner Andrew Bernstein will visit his alma mater, UMass, on Monday, September 10th. Students will have the opportunity to learn about his career as a legendary sports photographer and gain valuable insights before they head into the workforce.
For more info, images and behind-the-scenes looks at these community events, please follow @hoophall on Instagram and Twitter.
Summary of Basketball Hall of Fame Community Events
Wednesday, September 5th
1:00pm - Dream Court Dedication at Adams Park with Nancy Lieberman (OPEN TO PUBLIC)
Friday, September 7th
Springfield High School of Commerce Assembly with Ray Allen & Katie Smith
Holyoke High School Assembly with J.J. Barea, Mannie Jackson Award Winner
Education & Leadership at Springfield College Campus Center Luncheon with Grant Hill
Springfield Rotary Club Luncheon with Charlie Scott
Saturday, September 8th
NBRPA / Jr. NBA “Full Court Press” Youth Clinic at Basketball Hall of Fame Center Court with Grant Hill, Teresa Edwards, Cynthia Cooper-Dyke, Spencer Haywood & Isiah Thomas
About the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame: Located in Springfield, Massachusetts, the city where basketball was invented, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame promotes and preserves the game of basketball at every level – professional, collegiate and high school, for both men and women on the global stage.
For more information on the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame:
Visit us online: www.hoophall.com
… on Facebook: www.facebook.com/BBHOF
… on Twitter/Instagram: @hoophall #18HoopClass
… or call 1-877-4-HOOPLA