NAPLES, FL – The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced the Hall of Famers and Sports Celebrities participating in the inaugural Basketball Hall of Fame Charity Golf Classic that will take place at Tiburon Golf Club in Naples, FL February 16-17, 2015. Proceeds from the Golf Event will benefit the Leadership Foundations, Immokalee’s 1 By 1 Leadership Foundation and Communities In Schools organizations who have partnered with the Basketball Hall of Fame. This partnership was created with the goal of increasing the capacity of the partner organizations to expand outreach programs designed to create mentoring opportunities for young people of promise.
“We are looking forward to hosting the inaugural Hall of Fame Charity Golf Classic this year in Naples. This is a great opportunity for us to work with our charity partners to raise money for these great causes and to make a positive difference in the lives of many young people,” said John L. Doleva, President and CEO of the Basketball Hall of Fame.
The event will be held at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort. The event will also include a VIP Pairings Party dinner and live auction, a Hall of Famer Roundtable and an Awards Luncheon with over 20 Hall of Fame members and Sports Legends participating.
Hall of Famers and Sports Legends planning to attend include: Rick Barry, Jody Conradt, Dave Cowens, Alex English, Artis Gilmore, Chauncey Billups, Meadowlark Lemon, Richie Guerin, Bernard King, Mitch Richmond, Cathy Rush, Ralph Sampson, Alonzo Mourning, Meadowlark Lemon. Sam Jones. Theresa Edwards, Van Chancellor, Nykesha Sales and Gary Sheffield.
An additional VIP Guest representing the Naismith Family, Jim Naismith, the grandson of Dr. James Naismith, the inventor of Basketball, will also be in attendance to lend support to this year’s festivities.
Leadership Foundations:
Leadership Foundations, founded by Reid Carpenter more than 50 years ago, is a global network of nearly 50 cities that consists of individuals and organizations working to transform their cities through effective and collaborative leadership.
1 By 1 Leadership Foundation:
Focused on Immaokalee and motivated by a commitment to the spiritual well being of community throughout Southwest Florida, 1 by 1 Leadership Foundation delivers several empowerment initiatives including: volunteerism, service learning, college skills development, sports mentoring, career planning and financial literacy. (1by1leadershipfoundaiton.org)
Communities In Schools:
Comprised of a nationwide network of professionals who work with public schools to surround students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school, achieve in life and provide needed resources. (communitiesinschools.org)
About the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame:
Located in Springfield, Massachusetts, the Birthplace of Basketball, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame promotes and preserves the game of basketball at every level – professional, collegiate, men and women.
About Tiburon Golf Club:
Tiburón Golf Club is a golf club located at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort in Naples, Florida. It has two courses, Gold and Black. The club is the host course for the annual Shark Shootout, an off-season golf event for the PGA Tour and the LPGA Tour Championship.