Hoophall Classic: Congressman Richard Neal, Hall of Famers Jim Calhoun, Sheyrl Swoopes celebrate efforts to pass Naismith Memorial Commemorative Coin BillClick here to read the news story
Springfield, MA,
January 22, 2019
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Alexandra Francisco, MassLive
SPRINGFIELD -- The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame hosted a celebratory breakfast and press conference at the start of Monday’s Hoophall Classic, honoring those involved in getting the Naismith Memorial Commemorative Coin Bill passed. The bill, passed unanimously by the House and Senate after a three-year effort from Congressman Richard Neal, Congressman Andy Barr, and Senators Elizabeth Warren and the late John McCain, was signed into law on Dec. 21 by President Donald Trump. "This Hall of Fame that we have here, it celebrates the achievements of high school athletes, college athletes and professional athletes, and it's the only one of its kind in the world," Neal said at the ceremony. "I think that not only in terms of the tourism it promotes, but it's symbolic of Dr. Naismith's dream of creating an international game that is played in every corner of the globe." "(The coin) is very meaningful. And it will also help the bottom line of the Hall of Fame considerably," Neal said. Starting in 2020 with the 60th anniversary of the Hall of Fame, coins will be available for sale with proceeds going to the Hall of Fame's educational programs and the preservation of historical artifacts and documents. "The Hall of Fame has an ongoing education initiative and it's a reminder that academic excellence has to be part of the continued pursuit in our lives, and the Hall of Fame is not just about honoring sneakers. It's really about honoring and acknowledging the future through the investments of these initiatives for our young people," Neal said. Along with Neal, Congressman Barr of Kentucky was present. Hall of Famers Jim Calhoun, Sheryl Swoops, Bernard King, Spencer Haywood, Satch Sanders and Ralph Sampson we're in attendance. Each had a hand in getting the bill passed. "I made sure that I called everybody I could. Anybody I could to get them interested in what an important thing this would be for us, and it won't cost you a thing," Calhoun said. The legendary UConn basketball coach and current coach of the Division III Saint Joseph Blue Jays expressed how special the game is to him, crediting a basketball scholarship with saving his life after his father died when he was 15 years old, leaving him to support his mother and siblings. "It changed my life. I'll always be indebted," Calhoun said. "I'll always do whatever I can for the Hall of Fame because, like what folks said today, people are brought together by this wonderful game. The basketball comes afterwards. The real beauty of the worldwide game is that I know people in Israel, Argentina Moscow, all through basketball. I love the game. This is a wonderful thing happening." "The Hall of Fame has an ongoing education initiative and it's a reminder that academic excellence has to be part of the continued pursuit in our lives, and the Hall of Fame is not just about honoring sneakers. It's really about honoring and acknowledging the future through the investments of these initiatives for our young people," Neal said. Along with Neal, Congressman Barr of Kentucky was present. Hall of Famers Jim Calhoun, Sheryl Swoops, Bernard King, Spencer Haywood, Satch Sanders and Ralph Sampson we're in attendance. Each had a hand in getting the bill passed. "I made sure that I called everybody I could. Anybody I could to get them interested in what an important thing this would be for us, and it won't cost you a thing," Calhoun said. The legendary UConn basketball coach and current coach of the Division III Saint Joseph Blue Jays expressed how special the game is to him, crediting a basketball scholarship with saving his life after his father died when he was 15 years old, leaving him to support his mother and siblings. "It changed my life. I'll always be indebted," Calhoun said. "I'll always do whatever I can for the Hall of Fame because, like what folks said today, people are brought together by this wonderful game. The basketball comes afterwards. The real beauty of the worldwide game is that I know people in Israel, Argentina Moscow, all through basketball. I love the game. This is a wonderful thing happening." |