1891. The last four digits of the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame’s phone number aren’t just random numbers; they also represent the year James Naismith invented basketball.
Matt Martin, Executive Director of the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame, shared this and other interesting facts during his presentation about the Hall of Fame with the New Castle-Henry County Economic Development Corporation board on July 10.
Martin took on the Executive Director role in 2022 after serving as an athletic director and IHSAA executive committee member. He is constantly looking for ways to carry the name, logo, and legacy of the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame throughout the state and on national and international stages. The Pacers’ recent success, along with the rising popularity of the Indiana Fever mean the eyes of the basketball world are frequently on Indiana.
New Castle was one of 13 cities that bid on the opportunity to serve as home to the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame in the mid-1980s. The selection committee considered the land donated by Danny Danielson and Ameriana Bank, along with a strong volunteer corps and the opportunity to host an annual basketball classic at the New Castle Fieldhouse. Another deciding factor was the community’s commitment to help fund the Hall of Fame through a food and beverage tax.
Last year, the Hall of Fame unveiled a 7,000 square ft. expansion that includes more interactive experiences and touch screen displays. A sponsorship from Henry Community Health means that admission to the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame is now free. Martin noted that June traffic into the museum matched 2019 levels. When guests come to the museum, volunteers regularly suggest visiting the Hoosier Gym, local parks, and locally owned restaurants and shops.
The Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame Museum is only one aspect of the organization. They also host men’s and women’s banquets where they honor inductees, the Silver Anniversary Team, officials, and state champions from 25, 50, and 100 years ago. They present three golf outings: the Hall of Fame Golf Classic at Pebble Brook Golf Club, a Northern Indiana Golf Outing, and a Southern Indiana Golf Outing. The Hall of Fame Classic brings four of Indiana’s top teams in both girls and boys divisions to the New Castle Fieldhouse between Christmas and New Year’s Day.
Martin pointed out multiple ways for individuals and businesses to get involved with the Hall of Fame, including membership, partnership opportunities, and volunteering. For more information about the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame, visit HoopsHall.com.