By Mel Greenberg
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- First, the news of the day back to the home office. The Inquirer sports delegation made it here, Friday, however the luggage of both sports editor Jim Jenks and reporting colleague Claire Smith did not fare as well.
After a quick shopping spree, they arrived at Friday night's dinner/storytelling session.
Atlantic Ten commssioner Linda Bruno arrived in late afternoon and later that night, the SID-duo of Temple's Larry Dougherty and Drexel's Mike Tuberosa made the scene.
OK, here are lots more photos of Friday's events, these from our local shooter on the scene -- William Ewart. We'll try quick descriptos because the Guru is due at a brunch at 10 a.m. across the way in the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame and then it will also be time to finish up Saturday night's induction speech.
Also, Hall of Fame Rutgers coach C. Vivian Stringer's flight was cancelled late Friday among the major airline computer chaos of Friday and sports information director Stacey Brann was working the internet into the night to find a flight that might still make possible her arrival to be the Guru's grand entrance escort to Saturday night's events.
That's the news and now enjoy the tour.
We open with the family looking at an exhibit in the hall. Left to right are younger niece Allison Swartz, brother-in-law Perry, sister Annette, and niece Neena.
Then, by some surprise an Inquirer newsroom-produced special section appeared on the souvenir store's newstand.
And now two shots of the Guru standing in front of an exhibit and one of him in front of the plaques for this year's class with his plaque just above.
Now for the family folks of the Guru and his team. A picture with the Guru's sister and then one with Erin Semagin Damio and Acacia O'Connor, who are bringing you special coverage. The duo, incidentally, are decked out in their Inquirer shirts presented earlier by the Guru at the start of the trip. Jonathan Tannenwald, the Philly.com producer and other team member, arrived later Friday for the media session.
The next two shots have the Guru and fellow inductee -- Georgia coach Andy Landers -- overlooking the baskets below where Landers had just canned a shot from where is is situated in the picture. The other picture has the Guru standing alongside his display.
Now the tables are turned as the Guru becomes the one to be interviewed. There's also a shot in this next set of Acacia and Erin interviewing inductee Pam Kelly-Flowers, a former star of Louisiana Tech.
The inductees spent the early part of the afternoon autographing basketballs. A result of their work is shown in the next shot.
Acacia and Erin arrive at the dinner at which part of the Guru's new dress-up look will soon be on display.
The Guru poses with former Inquirer sports editor Jay Searcy, who had the idea of the poll, and in the following shot, the Guru is with ESPN programming executive Carol Stiff, a member of the WBHOF board.
Then it was time for the ball presentations and a quick greeting from each inductee, including the Guru. Huis remarks are in Jonathan's blog directly under this one.
And finally, on to the storytelling session. There's a group shot, one of the Guru in an exchange with former Texas star Andrea Lloyd Curry, and the Guru answering a question.
And that's it kids for this time around. -- Mel
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