6th Induction Ceremony Being Held on November 12, 2009

Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame

Inducts Sixth Class on November 12

Villanova Men’s Basketball Team also to be Honored at Annual Induction Ceremony

PHILADELPHIA November 3, 2009 -- The Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame will hold its 6th annual Induction Ceremony on November 12, 2009 at the Hyatt Regency Penn’s Landing. This year's event will honor the members of Inductee Class VI. The new class, including one team and 14 individuals, joins the 84 current members of the Philly Hall.

This year's class includes: Tommy Lasorda, Julius "Judy" Johnson, Eddie Collins, Larry Bowa, Neil Johnston, Emlen Tunnell, Pete Retzlaff, John Cappelletti, Dr. Charles Jenkins, Mel Sheppard, Joey Giardello, Betty Shellenberger, Merrill Reese, Bill Conlin and the 1973-1975 Two-time Stanley Cup Champion Philadelphia Flyers.

Also being honored are the annual Pride of Philadelphia award winners.  This year’s recipients are the Villanova Men’s basketball team, Archbishop Carroll’s boys and girls basketball teams and amateur boxer Miguel Cartegena.  The Pride of Philadelphia award is a recognition of accomplishment by those who made Philadelphia sports fans proud of their town and its rich sports heritage over the past year.

"The Induction Ceremony is a night where the greatest performers in our rich history are recognized for their contributions”, said Dan Fahy, Treasurer of the Hall’s Board of Trustees.  “We enjoy bringing together representatives of our broad sporting heritage and it is also an opportunity for many of our inductees to come together as well”.

The ceremony features Pat Williams, former General Manager of the 76ers and current Senior Vice-President for the Orlando Magic, back as Master of Ceremonies for the fifth time.

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.

Limited tickets are still available for the event.

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/class6 or by calling (215) 923-5121 Ext. 1.    

Limited sponsorship opportunities are still available.

The Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame Foundation is a registered 501 (c) (3) non-profit corporation.  Founded in 2002, it is a member of the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, the Pennsylvania Association of Non-Profit Organizations, the Maxwell Club, the Mid-Atlantic Association of Museums, and the International Association of Sports Museums and Halls of Fame.