SPRINGFIELD SLAM Combines Talent from Springfield Museums and Basketball Hall of Fame; Museums Launch New Combined Ticket

“The Springfield Slam is a great opportunity to showcase the distinct offerings of two world class museums and present a combined, discounted ticket.”
–Paul Lambert, Vice President, Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame

“Collaborating with our Springfield partners strengthens all of us and increases the number of people we can reach with our programing!”
–Kay Simpson, President of the Springfield Museums

SPRINGFIELD (MA)—Two world class museums—the Basketball Hall of Fame and the Springfield Museums—celebrate Springfield’s Game and the power of collaboration at the Springfield Slam, October 13 & 14.

In terms of the game, the alliance between the museums is a slam dunk: powerful and crowd-pleasing. The weekend-long Springfield Slam will feature visits from world champion basketball player Teresa Edwards; renowned children’s book characters The Cat in the Hat, Thing One, and Thing Two; and children’s book author Tish Rabe, who writes a new line of Dr. Seuss books that focus on science. Activities at both museums include hands-on explorations that combine learning with fun. And the weekend is augmented by book giveaways (while supplies last) at both locations.

The inspiration for the Springfield Slam was a simple notion: We wanted to play together. “It is so fun to knock at your neighbor’s door and say, ‘Let’s play!’” said Jenny Powers, Family Engagement Coordinator for the Springfield Museums. “We all got to brainstorming about all the science you can explore using basketballs, who we could invite as celebrities, what we could give away to visitors, and we had what we needed for the Springfield Slam!” (Full schedule below.)

In addition to exciting programing, the Springfield Slam launches the FIRST-EVER COMBINED, DISCOUNTED TICKET for the Basketball Hall of Fame and the Springfield Museums on the first day of the event, Saturday, October 13.

“The Springfield Slam is a great opportunity to showcase the distinct offerings of two world class museums and present a combined, discounted ticket,” said Paul Lambert, Vice President of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. “The Slam also gives us the opportunity to offer special deals to our members and to Springfield residents. It is a win for everyone.”

There are three special admissions deals as follow:

Combined ticket representing a 20% discount; can be used up to one year after the purchase date. They can also be used this weekend. Ticket must be in-hand. In-person sales only. They are good for one visit only to each museum. (NOT FOR SALE UNTIL OCTOBER 13)

Adult (18-64): $40 (savings of $10)
Youth (3-17): $22 (savings of $6)
Senior (65+): $28 (savings of $7)

Free for members of either the Springfield Museums and/or the Basketball Hall of Fame

Springfield Residents with proof of ID: Free at the Springfield Museums, 50% off at the Basketball Hall of Fame

Collaboration is a great way to make good things happen. “Collaborating with our Springfield partners strengthens all of us and increases the number of people we can reach with our programing!” said Kay Simpson, President of the Springfield Museums

A Message from Tish Rabe
I’ll be at the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, MA on Saturday, October 13^th at NOON in partnership with the Springfield Science Museum and The Dr. Seuss Museum. I’ll reveal how I write Dr. Seuss books, sing a song or two and everyone will get a FREE copy of my book “Oh, The Things You Can Do That Are Good For You!”

As you can see, Shaquille O’Neal’s shoes are hard to fill but I’ll do my best and hope to see you there! http://www.hoophall.com/

SCHEDULE FOR THE SPRINGFIELD SLAM

THE SPRINGFIELD SLAM: SPRINGFIELD MUSEUMS

October 13 @ 10:00 am–5:00 pm

Meet Thing 1 and Thing 2, 11 am-2 pm
Greet this mischievous pair from some of Dr. Seuss’ most iconic books! Get a high five or a hug and of course a photo with this wacky pair.

Main Street Play, 11 am-3 pm
What businesses do your grandparents remember seeing in their city or town? Which businesses are still there today? How have community helpers changed over time? You can pretend to work at Friendly’s or Big Y, dress up as a fire fighter or police officer, pretend to assemble a motorcycle or engine, or sit down and enjoy some Hasbro games.

Basketball Printmaking, 11 am-3 pm
Printmaking is a form of art made since ancient times. Put a modern twist of this classic technique by making prints with basketballs! What textures, designs, and styles can you come up with?

Basketball Hoop Challenge, 11 am-3 pm
Practice your throwing techniques and compete against a friend or family member on an arcade-style basketball game. Up to four players at a time.

THE SPRINGFIELD SLAM: BASKETBALL HALL OF FAME

October 13 @ 11:00 am–3:00 pm

Meet the Cat in the Hat!, 11 am-2 pm
Get a high five or a hug, and get your photo taken with Dr. Seuss’s most famous character!

Tish Rabe Author Talk and Meet & Greet
Tish Rabe has written over 160 children’s books for Sesame Street, Disney, Blue’s Clues, Curious George, Huff and Puff and many others. In 1996, she was selected by Dr. Seuss Enterprises to create The Cat in the Hat’s Learning Library, a new line of rhyming science books for early readers.

Physics of Basketball, 11 am-3 pm
Explore the science of passing, dribbling, jump shots and even slam dunks! How do physics make basketball both harder and easier and what can you do to improve your game?

THE SPRINGFIELD SLAM: SPRINGFIELD MUSEUMS

October 14 @ 11:00 am–5:00 pm

Meet Thing 1 and Thing 2, 11 am-2 pm
Greet this mischievous pair from some of Dr. Seuss’ most iconic books! Get a high five or a hug and of course a photo with this wacky pair.

Meet World Champion Basketball Player, TERESA EDWARDS, 1 pm
Basketball superstar and most decorated Olympic basketball player Teresa Edwards will engage in conversation with Paul Lambert, VP of the Basketball Hall of Fame, in the D’Amour Museum of Fine Arts, David Auditorium, and take questions from a panel of Springfield youth. She will then head over to the Wood Museum of Springfield History to sign autograph cards provided by the Basketball Hall of Fame.

Basketball Hoop Challenge, 11 am-3 pm
Practice your throwing techniques and compete against a friend or family member on an arcade-style basketball game. Up to four players at a time.