Worcester — The Perfect Host
It is fitting that the 2013 New England Basketball Hall of Fame Ceremony will be held in Worcester, for the “Heart of the Commonwealth” has played a major role in the development of basketball – both in New England — and on a national scale.
Worcester’s influence on the game can be traced back to 1947, when an eclectic group of Holy Cross players won the NCAA basketball championship. The team included an 18-year old freshman who would go on to legendary basketball status, as well as men in their mid-20s who had served in World War II.
The young freshman, soon to be dubbed Mr. Basketball, was Bob Cousy. His teammates included All-American George Kaftan, as well as Joe Mullaney and Andy Laska, both of whom would go onto great success in college coaching – Mullaney at Providence College and Laska at Assumption College.
The success of that Holy Cross team was the wellspring from which basketball would become a region known for its love of the game, and for its championships. The Boston Celtics, the UCONN men’s and women’s programs, and, of course, the great UMASS teams under Jack Leaman and featuring the likes of Hall of Famer, Julius Erving, are several of many examples of New England Basketball excellence.
The New England Basketball Hall of Fame is honored to host this year’s Induction Ceremony in Worcester, Massachusetts – one of the great basketball cities in America!