Nothing stands still and that old adage holds true for the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame. Attendance at the museum increased this past year and that is pleasing. In addition, repair projects have been undertaken and display cases added in an effort to keep the only statewide high school basketball facility in the nation on the forefront of maintaining excellence.
The sidewalk on the south side of the property had dropped due to water washing away some of the fill that laid under the walk. Therefore the area was trenched, perforated pipe was added and the water is now being harmlessly drained away. Damaged areas of the walk have been replaced and repaired to make it like new once again. The driveway and parking lot have been sealed in an effort to preserve the life expectancy.
Inside the building a total of 16 display cases have been added in the Enshrinement Hall. This will take care of the needs for future inductees for the immediate future. Adding of the cases has caused a need to realign some of the other casework within the building. A new display for a quick glance of the state championship girls' games from 1967 through the present is in the works. Another display in the works is to illustrate the shooting form of one of Indiana’s all time great shooters, Rick Mount. In addition, a number of the exhibits are changed periodically in an effort to always have something new and different available for viewing.
Please be assured the staff members at the Hall of Fame are always open to receiving basketball memorabilia. It is a known fact that many folks have such items stored away in their closest or attic. Rather than such items being discarded at a later date basketball fans are encouraged to donate the items to the Hall of Fame where they can be displayed in order to enrich the rich heritage and tradition of Indiana’s game, basketball.
The latest memorabilia acquisition was a UCLA basketball jersey, number 44, which was donated by Mike Warren. Warren was a super star at South Bend Central High School when he graduated in 1964. He went on to serve as the only two-year captain for Coach John Wooden at UCLA. The hardwood standout helped lead the Bruins to a total of two NCAA Championships. Today, Warren is a movie actor and producer in Hollywood.
The official start of the 2006-2007 basketball season is quickly approaching and all that I can say is, bring it on. The Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame proudly sponsors the City Securities Hall of Fame Classic each year. The girls' tournament will be held on December 28 and the boys' outing will be the next day. All games will be played in the largest and finest fieldhouse in the world, the New Castle Fieldhouse. This year’s line up is as follows:
| City Securities Hall of Fame Classic |
| Girls' Teams |
| December 28, 2006 |
| 10:00 A.M. |
New Castle vs Franklin Central |
| 12:00 Noon |
South Bend Washington vs Heritage Christian |
| 6:00 P.M. |
Consolation |
| 8:00 P.M. |
Championship |
| Boys' Teams |
| December 29, 2006 |
| 10:00 A.M. |
New Castle vs Vincennes |
| 12:00 Noon |
Valparaiso vs Indianapolis Cathedral |
| 6:00 P.M. |
Consolation |
| 8:00 P.M. |
Championship |
The tournament would be an opportunity for you and your team to watch some of the best individual players and basketball teams fire it up this season. If you are interested in attending, please give me a call and a special priced ticket will be made available for coaches and players.
Good luck for a successful 2006-2007 season.
