Former Ram Earl “The Pearl” Monroe To Be Inducted In Philadelphia Hall of Fame
Chris Zona
12/10/07

PHILADELPHIA, PA -- Some of the greatest names in Philadelphia sports are gathering for the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame’s Fourth Annual Induction Ceremony as former Winston-Salem State University basketball legend Earl “The Pearl” Monroe receives the city’s highest athletic honor this Wednesday, December 12, 2007 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel at Penn’s Landing.

Monroe, the leading scorer in WSSU basketball history with 2,935 points helped to lead the Rams to the 1967 NCAA College Division men’s basketball national championship and still holds a pair of NCAA records. 

The number two choice in the 1967 NBA draft, Monroe played 13 years in the National Basketball Association where he was named the NBA Rookie of the Year (1968), was named a four-time NBA All-Star (1969, 1971, 1975 and 1977) and earned an NBA World Championship (1973) en route to being enshrined into the NBA Hall of Fame (1990) and being named one of the NBA’s 50 Greatest Players in History.

For his accomplishments, Monroe, a native of Philadelphia will be inducted into the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame on December 12, 2007 in a gala enshrinement event.  This year’s event honors the members of Inductee Class IV consisting of: Beth Anders, Walter Bahr, Bill Barber, Mickey Cochrane, Theresa Grentz, Frank "Bucko" Kilroy, Chuck Klein, Harry Litwack, Bill Lyon, Earl Monroe, Earl "Greasy" Neale, Jack Whitaker and Reggie White along with the 1980 World Champion Philadelphia Phillies.

Anders, Bahr, Barber, Grentz, Lyon, Monroe, Whitaker and members of the 1980 Phillies are expected to attend. Also attending will be Sara White, Reggie White’s widow and relatives of Klein, Litwack, Cochrane and Kilroy.

Also to be honored are the Hall of Fame’s 2007 Pride of Philadelphia winners National League MVP Jimmy Rollins of the Phillies and the 2006-07 PIAA Class AAAA Champion Cheltenham High School Lady Panthers basketball team.

Other notable attendees, including previously inducted Philadelphia Hall of Famers, are: Bernie Parent, Jay Wright, Sonny Hill, Bill Giles, Bob Levy, Tom Brookshier, Phil Martelli, Glen Macnow, Bill Ellerbee, Bill Campbell, Pete Retzlaff, Brian Propp, Jay Sigel, Fran Dunphy, Harry Kalas, Tommy McDonald, Dan Baker, Ray Didinger and the Phillie Phanatic.

“It’s a great show of support that these sports celebrities and past inductees come year after year to honor the new Hall of Famers,” said Steve Tallant, the Hall of Fame’s Vice-President of Foundation Development. “We are thrilled to be able to share this Who’s Who of Philly sports with local fans.”

The ceremony features Pat Williams, former General Manager of the 76ers and current Senior Vice-President for the Orlando Magic, for his fourth year as Master of Ceremonies.

“Tickets to the ceremony are really moving,” continued Tallant, "Last year’s ceremony sold out well in advance and we anticipate another sellout this year."

Festivities include a cocktail reception, dinner and the Induction banquet. Attendees may also participate in the silent auction and view the museum exhibit featuring items from the Hall of Fame’s unique collection of Philadelphia sports artifacts.

Event sponsors this year include the Philadelphia Phillies, the Philadelphia Eagles and Shire Pharmaceuticals.

The cocktail reception begins at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner and the Induction Ceremony. The banquet is open to the public and tickets can be purchased online at http://www.phillyhall.org/banquet or by calling (215) 886-6657 (extension one).