WORCESTER, Mass. — The New England Basketball Hall of Fame announced that a distinguished group of individuals and teams from Maine will be among those inducted at the Hall’s ceremony on August 8 in Worcester, Massachusetts

Founded in 2002 by former Bates basketball captain Dan Doyle, the New England Basketball Hall of Fame event has become one of, if not the largest, sports dinners in America. Approximately 2,000 people will be present on Aug. 8.

The event will feature panel discussions with the likes of Naismith Hall of Famers David Thompson and Dave Cowens and two special announcements: one on a History of New England Women's Basketball book that the New England Basketball Hall of Fame will sponsor and one on the expansion of the Hall of Fame itself.

Famed Red Sox pitcher, Bill Lee, will also be on hand to “conduct,” in Arthur Fiedler style, the opening song of the program, "Take Me Out to The Ball Game." Lee will serve as a panelist, discussing the impact of sport in society.

“Maine is a phenomenal hotbed of basketball, and this group rivals any that we have inducted,” said Rod Steier, Chair of the NEBHOF Executive Committee.

Former players being inducted from Maine include Howard Alexander (Bates College), Jamie Beaudoin (University of Maine at Farmington), Cameron Brown (University of Maine at Farmington), Nick Browning (Bowdoin), Steve Clifford (Pathfinder, University of Maine at Farmington, Ashland High School and then-Charlotte Bobcats), Steve Condon (Presque Isle High School), Kim Condon-Lane (Presque Isle High School), Dawn Anne Higgins-Currie (University of Maine at Farmington), Matt Gaudet (Rumford High School; Colby), Toby Martin (Maranacook High School), Tim Ziko (Rumford High School), Elwood “Bimbo” Pinkham (Sumner High School), Kristi Royer (Bowdoin) and Bob Warner (University of Maine at Orono). 

Coaches being inducted form Maine include Gene DeLorenzo (Colby), Allen Downer (Mount View High School), Rudy Keeling (University of Maine at Orono), Charles “Gus” Folson (Lawrence High School), Len MacPhee (University of Maine at Farmington), Dick Meader (Solon High School, Thomas College and University of Maine at Farmington), Bernard “Bunny” Parady (Mount Desert Island High School), Adrienne Shibles (Mount View High School, Bates, Swarthmore and Bowdoin), Lora Trenkle (Bowdoin) and Kissy Walker (Husson). 

Tom Chard of the Portland Press Herald and Ernie Clark of the Bangor Daily News will also be inducted.

Additionally, Bob Butler will be inducted as an administrator (York High School) and George Wigton as an icon. 

The 1965 Winthrop High School boys team and the 1975 Hall Dale High School girls team will also be inducted. 

Scholar athletes for 2015 are Peter Kelley and Justine Pouravelis. 

TICKET PURCHASES

To purchase tables of 10 or individual tickets by credit card visit: www.nebhof.ticketsocket.com. To purchase tables of 10 or individual tickets by check, please make your check payable to: New England Basketball Hall of Fame and mail to: NEBHOF, P. O. Box 952, Glastonbury, Connecticut 06033.

Individual tickets will cost $135 through July 15 and $155 from July 16 until they sell out. 

Tables of 10 will cost $1,300 through July 15 and $1,500 from July 16 until they sell out. 

Reach the sports department at: sports@penbaypilot.com.