2008 Pride of Philly Awards

Media Contact: Bob Cassidy	FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
215.886.6657 ext. 6     mediarelations@phillyhall.net	3 PM EST, November 6, 2008

Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame Honors 2008 Phillies

Champs Join Mount Saint Josephs and The Soul

As Pride of Philadelphia Winners

PHILADELPHIA November 6, 2008 – The Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame has announced that the 2008 World Champion Philadelphia Phillies join the Mount Saint Josephs Academy 2008 basketball team and The Philadelphia Soul as 2008 Pride of Philly award winners.  The teams will be honored at the Hall of Fame’s upcoming Induction Ceremony.

The Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame's Pride of Philadelphia Awards are given annually to deserving teams or individuals who exemplify the spirit and pride of Philadelphia sports.  The award is not necessarily a 'team or player of the year', but a recognition of accomplishment by those who made Philadelphia sports fans proud of their town and its rich sports heritage.  By definition, the Pride of Philly awards are presented to those "Having represented the Philadelphia area with dignity, determination and class through athletic achievement."

The 2007-08 Mount Saint Josephs basketball team captured the PIAA Class AAA state championship while the Philadelphia Soul won the 2008 Arena Bowl as champions of the Arena League.  Late last month the Phillies won the 2^nd World Series Crown in the team’s 125-year history.

“The 2008 Phillies energized the city with an electrifying playoff run and capped it with the parade that a generation of Philadelphia sports fans has been waiting for”, said Bob Cassidy, Vice President of Operations for the Hall.  “Earlier in the year, as a bit of a prelude both The Mount and The Soul showed the same grit and determination in capturing their titles.”

All three teams will be represented at the Hall’s Class V Induction Ceremonies on Thursday November 13, 2008 at the Hyatt Regency Penn’s Landing.  Also in attendance will be several inductees from The Hall’s first four classes as well as members of Class V, who are to be inducted that evening.

Festivities include a cocktail reception, dinner and the Induction banquet.  Attendees may also participate in the silent auction and view the museum exhibit featuring items from the Hall of Fame’s unique collection of Philadelphia sports artifacts.

The cocktail reception begins at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner and the Induction Ceremony.  The banquet is open to the public and tickets can be purchased online at http://www.phillyhall.org/classv or by calling (215) 886-6657 Ext. 1.  Some limited sponsorship opportunities are still available.