KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- We're in the midst of the 2008-2009 college basketball season in America, so this seems to be a perfect time for visitors to the Kansas City area to check out America's most interesting basketball venue: The College Basketball Experience, a new name and new approach for what once was known as the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame.

The College Basketball Experience still incorporates the historical archives, exhibits and displays from the old College Basketball Hall of Fame (formerly located in Massachusetts), but it has taken on a whole new perspective with the addition of more than a dozen hands-on games that let visitors get a real inside-feel for the game.

Here's how the officials at the College Basketball Experience describe their new operation:

"The College Basketball Experience is not a museum. It is a high-energy, highly-interactive venue where casual and hard core fans of any age can totally immerse themselves in the game of college basketball.

"Located at the new Sprint Center directly across from Kansas City's Power & Light District, the 41,500-square-foot building features the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame.

"In the Hall of Fame, visitors learn about the great players and coaches who have made significant contributions to men's collegiate basketball. Visitors will rediscover seminal moments in college basketball history and learn the special role that Kansas City played in the sport.

"Hands-on, high-energy exhibits throughout the facility place visitors in electrifying game-like situations, from sinking the game-winning shot to announcing the play-by-play action from the ESPNU broadcast desk.

"While physically part of the Sprint Center, the College Basketball Experience has a unique and separate identity. It evokes the game of basketball and stimulates visitor enthusiasm from the moment it comes into view.

"The facility also houses the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame, where visitors can honor college basketball legends and learn about the history of the game.

"But the CBE is not just a place where you go and look. The word “experience” is in the title because that’s exactly what fans can do – experience the game of college basketball.

"At “Beat The Clock,” fans try to make a game-winning shot before the buzzer sounds, mirroring some of college basketball’s greatest moments. At “Step To The Line,” fans face the pressure of a hostile arena while attempting to make as many consecutive free throws as possible in a set amount of time. Or they can play like the big boys on one of the Slam Dunk courts with rims at six different heights.

"Virtually every skill of the game has an activity station – rebounding, passing, three-point shooting, free throw shooting and more. For a change of pace, visitors can sit down at the ESPNU desk and call the highlights of actual NCAA basketball action. There are also numerous kiosks with fascinating insight from coaches and players about college basketball.

"The atmosphere – the energetic sights and sounds of college basketball – penetrates the entire facility with a constant supply of audio, video and larger-than-life visual graphics.

'“There is no other place like this in America,” says Kevin Henderson, CEO of The College Basketball Experience. “It is definitely not a museum. It is a high-energy, highly-interactive place where casual and hard core fans of any age can totally immerse themselves in the game of college basketball.”

"Since opening last October, the CBE has garnered rave reviews from all around the country. The response from fans has been overwhelming, as well as from companies and organizations who rent the facility for private functions. The CBE has hosted college basketball players and coaches, and even these “experts” have been impressed.

"Bill Self, head coach of the Kansas Jayhawks, says he is “blown away” by the CBE. Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski calls it “one of the most exciting, immersive entertainment venues in the world.” Tom Izzo of Michigan State said, “Wow! That’s my reaction. It’s incredible.”

Former Kentucky coach and now head coach at Minnesota Tubby Smith may have summed it best by saying, “It’s a spectacular showplace for college basketball.”

Online visitors may browse through the activities or visit the facility's virtual, interactive map at www.collegiateexperience.com or write the facility at:

The College Basketball Experience &
The National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame
1401 Grand Boulevard
Kansas City, MO 64106

By phone:
Phone: 816.949.7500
Fax: 816.949.7502




Hours MONDAY & TUESDAY**
Closed to Public
Available for Special Events as schedule allows

**The College Basketball Experience at Sprint Center may be open on Mondays and Tuesdays for extended hours during select Sprint Center arena evening events.

WEDNESDAY - SATURDAY
OPEN to Public 10:00am – 6:00pm

Available for Special Events after 6:00pm and may remain open for extended hours for select Sprint Center arena evening events.

SUNDAY
OPEN to Public 11:00am – 6:00pm
Available for Special Events after 6:00pm and may remain open for extended hours for select Sprint Center arena evening events.

This story was published on 29 Dec 2008.