TOMS RIVER, NJ (September 29, 2015)—Master sculptor Brian Hanlon once again brought to life a plaza with the unveiling of his latest bronze masterpiece on Friday, September 11th, at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, MA where more than 50 Hall of Famer’s attended the annual enshrinement ceremony.
An eight-foot sculpture of the founder of basketball, Dr. James Naismith, sitting on a bench, flanked by smaller statues of three young basketball players who are “listening” intently to the coach who came up with the idea from a childhood game called “Duck on a Rock.”
The new Naismith Coaches Circle Monument is part of the 2015 Hall of Fame Enshrinement, which included the induction of eleven new members into the Hall of Fame at Springfield’s Symphony Hall.
“It was an awesome event chock full of iconic basketball stars,” said Hanlon who is the official sculptor for the Hall of Fame.
The new monument sits on a 25-ton granite base engraved with Naismith’s Core Values like leadership and perseverance as well as inspirational quotes from current and former basketball coaches who have supported the project.
In addition, each coach was able to honor their mentors by engraving their names on basketball-themed granite benches, finishing off the dedication with an engraved autograph. Each coach will received a miniature replica version of the monument.
Class of 2015 Hall of Fame enshrinees John Calipari and George Raveling were on-hand to personally unveil their benches. Also attending the ceremony was the grandson of Dr. Naismith, James P. Naismith.
Hanlon Sculpture Studio also provided the granite pavers throughout the plaza.
Along with inventing the game of basketball in 1891, Dr. Naismith is also credited with designing the first football helmet and writing the first basketball rulebook that contained 13 rules. He also established the basketball program at University of Kansas where he coached from 1898 to 1907.
The Hall of Fame that bears his name was founded 20 years after his death in 1959. Unlike the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the National Baseball Hall of Fame, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame honors international and American professionals, as well as amateurs.
For additional pictures of the monument, please visit: Naismith Coaches Circle Monument
ABOUT HANLON SCULPTURE STUDIO
Brian P. Hanlon is a classically-trained master sculptor and founder of Hanlon Sculpture Studio; a full-service art studio that designs, creates, and installs awe-inspiring and signature monuments featuring bronze, aluminum, stainless steel and granite sculptures, illustrative and informational graphics, and interactive kiosks.
Hanlon Sculpture Studio provides complete site design services from sculptures to hard and softscapes, and offers total project management from design to installation and unveiling. In collaboration with administrative and athletic staff at colleges and universities, the studio develops the scope of artwork projects that are designed to enhance the spirit, pride and tradition of athletics and the campus community.