USA NATIONAL TRACK & FIELD HALL OF FAME PARTNERS WITH SPORTS MUSEUM OF AMERICA TO CREATE NATION’S FIRST ALL-SPORTS MUSEUM
[Opening May 2008]
3/02/08– USA National Track & Field Hall of Fame President Dr. Norbert W. Sander announced today a partnership with the Sports Museum of America (SmA).
The USA National Track & Field Hall of Fame now joins over 50 single-sport Halls of Fame, National Governing Bodies, Museums and other sports organizations across North America as a Founding Sports Partner of the Sports Museum of America (SmA), www.sportsmuseum.com. Scheduled to open in New York City in May 2008, SmA is the Nation's first and only museum to celebrate all sports under one roof. Filled with original films, state-of-the-art interactives and an iconic collection of memorabilia, SmA will richly showcase the history, grandeur and significance of sports in American culture through great sports' stories of courage, education and triumph.
According to Dr. Sander, this exciting new partnership will introduce a broad new audience to the thrills of track & field. “Track and Field is the central sport of the Olympic Games and what better place to promote our Hall of Fame than the Sports Museum of America. We are delighted with our partnership and are confident that the millions of visitors to the Sports Museum of America will also be interested to come uptown, right here in NYC, to view the USA National Track & Field Hall of Fame as well.”
"The Sports Museum of America is extremely pleased to have the USA National Track & Field Hall of Fame join our more than 50 exclusive sports partner organizations to create the first comprehensive museum of sports," says Founder and CEO Philip Schwalb. "We’re particularly excited because of the special place that track and field holds in the hearts and minds of American sports’ enthusiasts and the close proximity of the USA National Track & Field Hall of Fame. SmA looks forward to sharing track and field’s tremendous legacy -- from Jesse Owens to Jackie Joyner-Kersee to the stars of tomorrow -- with our millions of visitors. We’ll also excite our fans about the USA National Track & Field Hall of Fame just up the road in New York City, and encourage them to visit there for the ultimate celebration of track and field."
Under the terms of the partnership, the National Track & Field Hall of Fame will provide archival track and field materials, such as a cap worn by Archie Hahn from the 1906 Olympics, running shoes worn by Carl Lewis, a medal won by Jim Thorpe, a discus Al Oerter used in the Olympics and Rafer Johnson’s Olympic uniform. Other memorabilia pertaining to the history of track and field and of interest to the projected one million worldwide annual visitors to SmA will be sent on a rotating basis. Likewise, joint marketing efforts will be undertaken by both partners, and SmA will make an annual donation to support the National Track & Field Hall of Fame.
SmA is fortunate to have Jackie Joyner-Kersee among their prestigious Board of Honorary Trustees.
SmA is widely anticipated to be a vibrant new addition to the redevelopment of Lower Manhattan by significantly increasing commercial and tourist activity in the area.
About the National Track & Field Hall of Fame:
The National Track & Field Hall of Fame is a gem of an interactive museum, located at The Armory Foundation, at 216 Fort Washington Avenue, on West 168th Street in Washington Heights, NY, where one can learn about what it takes to be the best you can be - come see what your body and mind need to be a great athlete; how to train, what to eat, how technology has changed the sport, and even what the great Olympians think about when they are competing.
Enter through our beautiful lobby with cutting-edge media surrounding you and watch our orientation film - the beginning of a two-hour visit that is both educational and inspirational.
Come watch our Olympic Moment film produced by Bud Greenspan and view the World's Records represented on the walls and the floor of the Hall of Fame. Follow the brilliant red Staircase of Champions up to the Fred Lebow Marathon Hall Galleries. Take a tour of the New York City Marathon and hear the crowds cheer as you come across the finish line. Up one floor and you will arrive in the Hall of Fame Gallery, to see the famous Wall of Fame - our 40-foot-long etched glass wall with the names of all the inductees immortalized. Look through the wall into our 65,000 square foot arena that is home to the largest indoor collegiate and high school invitational events in the world. Take time to learn about the extraordinary members of the Hall of Fame in our Hall of Fame Kiosk located just across from the Wall of Fame.
It will be a visit you will remember for a lifetime!
About the Sports Museum of America:
The Sports Museum of America (SmA) is the nation's first and only all-sports experience richly showcasing the history, grandeur and significance of sports in American culture. Created in exclusive partnership with over 50 single-sport Halls of Fame, National Governing Bodies and other sports organizations across North America, SmA features amazing state-of-the-art interactive technologies, dramatic original films and an iconic collection of sports memorabilia. SmA will also be home to the legendary Heisman Trophy (and annual televised presentation) and the Billie Jean King International Women's Sports Center, including the first ever women's sports hall of fame. Located in New York City at 26 Broadway (next to the “Charging Bull” and footsteps from the Statue of Liberty Ferry), the Sports Museum of America will open in May 2008. www.sportsmuseum.com
Contacts:
Dave Herscher Public Relations, LLC
Dave Herscher 212 629 0372 or davehersherpr@mindspring.com
The Armory Foundation
Rita Finkel 212 923 1803 ex 32 or RFinkel@ArmoryTrack.com
Rubenstein Communications, Inc. – Public Relations
Alison Hendrie 212-843-8029 or Ahendrie@rubenstein.com
Sports Museum of America (SmA)
Barbara Pflughaupt 212-837-7962 or Barbara@thesportsmuseum.com