Basketball Hall of Fame to honor WNBA's 10 years with exhibit
August 16, 2006 - Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) News Release
Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame - SPRINGFIELD, MA - (August 14, 2006) The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, will pay homage to the WNBA and the women of the game with a special day on Friday, August 18th at 12noon. WNBA President, Donna Orender and WNBA star and former UConn Alumna Tamika Williams, will make appearances to help unveil a special exhibit in honor of the game.
During their visit to Springfield, Massachusetts, the birthplace of basketball, these women of the WNBA will help unveil a special exhibit which includes memorabilia from the first ten years of the League. The exhibit recognizes the recently named members of the WNBA All-Decade Team and incorporates items such as various balls from All Star games, shoes from various players and other unique items. A locker will also be revealed which will house basketballs, footwear, and jerseys from players of the WNBA All-Decade Team as well.
The program will begin at 12noon on Center Court with comments from the special guests followed by a question and answer session with the WNBA representatives and conclude with autographs. Junior WNBA members will be invited to join the festivities on Center Court.
The WNBA was formed on April 24, 1996 with eight teams, four in the Western Conference and four in the Eastern Conference. The inaugural WNBA season tipped off on June 21, 1997, with the New York Liberty taking on the Los Angeles Sparks at the Great Western Forum in Inglewood, California. A crowd of 14,284 watched as Sparks guard Penny Toler scored the first basket in WNBA history. The Liberty defeated the Sparks 67-57. Women's basketball has come a long way since its beginnings in 1892 when Senda Berenson adapted James Naismith's basketball rules for women. Today the League has grown to 14 teams with over 20 million fans in attendance.
The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame is open Monday through Saturday 9a.m. - 5p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Tickets are $16.99 for adults, $13.99 for seniors (65+), $11.99 for youths 5-15, and children under 5 are admitted FREE.
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.
Women's National Basketball Association Stories from August 16, 2006
- USL-2 all-league teams announced - Charlotte Sting
- Rosters set for 2006 WNBA playoffs - WNBA
- Basketball Hall of Fame to honor WNBA's 10 years with exhibit - WNBA
- Indiana Fever update - Indiana Fever
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