Sports Museum of American to Open May 2008 in New York City

New York, NY (PRWEB) March 11, 2008 -- The Sports Museum of America (www.sportsmuseum.com) (SmA), the nation's first and only interactive, multi-media all sports museum experience, is set to open in New York City in early May 2008. As the first museum to pay tribute to the history and excitement of all sports, SmA has partnered with more than 50 single-sport Halls of Fame, national governing bodies and other top athletic organizations, to showcase inspiring exhibits, memorabilia, stories and heroes that resonate with fans of all ages. In addition to hosting the first women's sports hall of fame, SmA will also be the new permanent home of the Billie Jean King International Women's Sports Center and the legendary Heisman Trophy (http://www.sportsmuseum.com/sportsmuseum/plan/) and annual televised presentation.

Located at 26 Broadway, in the heart of Lower Manhattan and at the corner of Broadway and Beaver Streets, SmA will be steps away from the "Charging Bull" statue, the Statue of Liberty and Staten Island ferries, Wall Street, South Street Seaport and the 9/11 memorial currently under construction.

"The Sports Museum of America will, for the first time, offer visitors one destination where they can come to experience the feeling of triumph at the core of all great athletes and all sports," said Philip Schwalb, the museum's Founder & CEO. "With the tremendous support of our partners in top professional athletic organizations and the generosity of some of the nation's greatest and most legendary athletes, we'll be able to share their stories, and through them, showcase the excitement, grandeur and significance of sports in American culture."

Partners include the USA Football and the Pro Football Hall of Fame, NASCAR (http://www.sportsmuseum.com/sportsmuseum/partners/), USA Basketball and the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, the NCAA Hall of Champions, USA Hockey, the Hockey Hall of Fame, the Women's Sports Foundation, the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, the Yogi Berra Museum & Learning Center, U.S. National Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame and Museum, USA Track & Field, the National Track and Field Hall of Fame, and many more.

SmA has also tapped some of the most decorated, iconic sports stars in America for its Honorary Board of Trustees. Founding members of the Board include 7-time NBA All-Star Jason Kidd, Heisman Trophy winner Doug Flutie, Olympic Hall of Famer Mary Lou Retton, former World Heavyweight Boxing Champion Joe Frazier, racing legend Mario Andretti, tennis great Martina Navratilova, 7-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong, and Basketball Hall of Famer Julius "Dr. J" Erving.     

The Sports Museum of America will be the permanent home of one of sports most revered honors - the Heisman Trophy and annual presentation - as well the Billie Jean King International Women's Sports Center, which includes the first and only hall of fame dedicated to the athletes and pioneers in women's sports.

The Heisman Trophy is one of the most recognized trophies in all of sports. Since the events of 9/11, the Heisman has been presented in various Lower Manhattan (http://www.sportsmuseum.com/sportsmuseum/host/) locations, but will take permanent residence in SmA's Heisman Gallery. The Gallery will present the history of the award, define the attributes that make a Heisman winner, and pay tribute to all Heisman winners past and present. At the center of the gallery, visitors will be able to touch and take a picture with the original Heisman Trophy, and can cast their votes for the next Heisman winner, who will be awarded the trophy each December at the Sports Museum of America.

About the Sports Museum of America

The Sports Museum of America (SmA) is the nation's first and only interactive, multi-media 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 is also the new permanent home of 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 at 26 Broadway just footsteps from the Statue of Liberty ferry, the Sports Museum of America will open in early May 2008. www.sportsmuseum.com.

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