Fans Get Up-Close To Basketball Legends And Class Of '06 At Sold Out Ceremony September 9th

Hall of Fame Induction Celebration to Feature Basketball Legends, Vintage Rolls Royce Parade, UCONN Women's Basketball Forum, Sports Memorabilia Auction, Inspiring Ceremonies & Autograph Sessions

SPRINGFIELD, MASS. --- (August 31, 2006) – Saturday, September 9th proves to be a very special day for basketball fans that hold one of the sold out tickets to the Basketball Hall of Fame's Induction Celebration. Fans will get up-close access to close to 50 returning Hall of Famers as well as new Hall of Famers during the day's festivities.

The day kicks off at 9:30 am with a parade of Hall of Famers and newly elected class members arriving at the Hall of Fame in vintage Rolls Royce cars before stepping onto a red carpet to join the celebration. The Induction Ceremony begins at 10 am with national recording artist Ashley Gearing performing the National Anthem followed by the entrance of returning Hall of Famers. The newly elected class members, former NBA stars Charles Barkley, Joe Dumars and Dominique Wilkins, University of Connecticut Women's Coach Geno Auriemma, former Big East Commissioner David Gavitt and Italian National Team Coach Sandro Gamba will take the stage to receive their Class Ring, remark on the occasion and answer questions. The celebration will wrap up with a performance by the Tehillah Gospel Choir of St. John's Congregational Church in Springfield, Mass.

Following the celebration, fans will enjoy a day filled autograph sessions, a UConn Forum and the First Annual Basketball Hall of Fame Induction Auction featuring hundreds of unique sports memorabilia items.

Beginning at 11:30 am, autograph sessions will feature the new class along with returning Hall of Famers including Meadowlark Lemon, Marques Haynes, Hubie Brown, and Lenny Wilkins to name a few. At 1 pm, a UConn Forum will feature a panel discussion with UConn Women's Head Coach and newly enshrined Hall of Famer, Geno Auriemma, former UConn team members; Rebecca Lobo, Kara Wolters, Kerry Bascom, and Jessica Moore along with the Boston Globe's Jackie MacMullan.

At 2 pm, it's the Basketball Hall of Fame Induction Auction presented by Grey Flannel Auctions. Induction Celebration ticket holders as well as Basketball Hall of Fame ticket holders can sign up to bid on rare and authentic sports memorabilia. Those in attendance at the auction gala will have the chance to bid live on close to 400 historic sports items in basketball, baseball, football, hockey and Americana. Collector's items from the game of basketball will include Boston Celtics game-used and signed John Havlicek road jersey and a game-used and autographed Larry Bird home jersey. Also available are triple seats from the Boston Garden, signed by all of the Celtics legends and assorted Bill Russell game-used gear. All basketball items will come with a letter of authenticity from the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Anyone interested in signing up prior to September 9th or bidding in advance by internet can go to www.greyflannelauctions.com.

Also at 2 pm, Geno Auriemma and Jackie MacMullan will be signing their book, Geno Auriemma; In Pursuit of Perfection on the main concourse until 3pm. Books will be available for purchase in the Museum Store.

All events will take place at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and include FREE parking on a first come-first served basis.

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, international, men and women. For more information on these and other upcoming events, please visit our website at www.hoophall.com or call 1-877-4HOOPLA.