Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame: Visit the past, present and future of women’s basketball
The Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in Knoxville gives female basketball players their due recognition. The one-of-a-kind facility is solely dedicated to all levels of women’s basketball. So ladies, it’s time to get inspired and educated about the wonderful world of women’s basketball.
The 32,000-square foot facility opened in June 1999. The world’s largest basketball rests in the north end of the hall, weighing in at a whopping 10 tons and sits on top of a glass staircase that resembles a basketball net. At the southern end of the facility, a brick courtyard can be seen, shaped like a basketball. Many of the bricks are engraved to honor guests, inductees and a host of others who have chosen to leave their legacies at the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame.
Inside the bright, fun-filled facility visitors see a number of multimedia presentations and various basketball artifacts, including one of the original rule books from 1901, photographs, scrapbooks, medals, trophies and old uniforms that bring the history of women’s basketball to life. In the State Farm Tip-Off Theater, “Hoopful of Hope,” a 15-minute video production, covers the history of the game. The production shows some of the all-time greats from the sport, including players, coaches, and teams from the Athletic Amateur Union, collegiate and professional organizations.
In the Modern Locker Room Exhibit, guests can sit in on pre-game or halftime chalk talks and listen to some of the nation’s most successful coaches talk to their teams. The current lineup features Connecticut’s Geno Auriemma, Maryland’s Brenda Frese, North Carolina’s Sylvia Hatchell, Oklahoma’s Sherri Coale, Tennessee’s Pat Summitt and Georgia’s Andy Landers. Don’t forget to bring your basketball shoes to play in one of the basketball courts in the downstairs area of the facility.
Ticket prices are $7.95 for adults, $5.95 for seniors and children ages 6 to 15. Kids ages 5 years old and younger can enter for free.
Posted by Leah M. Caudle
