PHILADELPHIA SPORTS HALL OF FAME TO HOLD INDUCTION CEREMONY IN FEBRUARY

Proceeds to benefit Hall of Fame activities including scholarship, internship and youth sports programs.

The Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame will hold its first annual Induction Ceremony February 9th at the Sheraton-Society Hill in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Pat Williams, Vice-President of the Orlando Magic and former General Manager of the Philadelphia 76ers, will serve as Master of Ceremonies.

Founded in May 2002, the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame Foundations vision is to develop a Hall of Fame as a means to preserve and promote the rich history of Philadelphia sports. The ultimate goal is to build a museum in the area to honor Philadelphia's unique sports legacy.

This first group of hall of famers includes Bernie Parent, Bert Bell, Bill Tilden, Billy Cunningham, Bobby Clarke, Chuck Bednarik, Connie Mack, Jack Kelly, Sr., Jimmie Foxx, Joe Frazier, Julius Erving, Mike Schmidt, Paul Arizin, Richie Ashburn, Robin Roberts, Steve Carlton, Steve Van Buren, Tom Gola and Wilt Chamberlain. In addition, Sonny Hill will be presented with the initial Lifetime Commitment Award and Harry Kalas is the inaugural Legacy of Excellence honoree.

We are proud to honor the legendary sport figures of this Charter Class, while we raise awareness and support for our community program initiatives” said Ken Avallon, founder and president of the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame Foundation.

In addition to honoring Philadelphias sports history, the mission of the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, includes community and charitable programs such as youth scholarships, essay contests, internships for needy college students and sports camps for underprivileged youngsters.

To date the Foundation has worked with students from West Chester University, the University of Pennsylvania, Drexel University and the University of Notre Dame in support and sponsorship roles. Initial scholarships are slated for the September 2004 semester. In addition the Foundation has entered into discussions regarding sponsoring children for the summer of 2004 in the Legendary Blue Horizons Nia Kuumba programs and the Atwater Kent Museums Phil-A-Kid program.

Attendance at the Induction Ceremony is anticipated by many of the members of the Hall of Fames Charter Class. The event, which is open to the public, begins at 5:30 p.m. with a cocktail reception and silent auction. Dinner follows at 7:30 p.m. concluding with the induction ceremony. Tickets are $150.