Class of 2016 Receives First Naismith Orange Jackets During Enshrinement Event

DALLAS, Sept. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Haggar Clothing Co. and the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame unveiled today a new signature jacket for inductees into the Basketball Hall of Fame. Made with Naismith Orange wool inspired by the basketball, the jacket replaces the black jacket of years past and reflects a number of enhancements to better represent excellence and achievement in the sport.

"Our relationship with the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame has given us the opportunity to create a new, iconic jacket that is as recognizable and memorable as the Class of 2016," said Michael Stitt , CEO of Haggar Co. "The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame inductees are the most talented and successful individuals that have contributed to the sport of basketball, and Haggar is proud to honor them with a distinctive jacket."
The Class of 2016 includes ABA superstar Zelmo Beaty, 27-year NBA referee Darell Garretson, 11-time NBA All-Star Allen Iverson, two-time NABC Coach of the Year Tom Izzo, the first African-American coach in a professional league John McLendon, three-time NBA Finals MVP Shaquille O'Neal, Early African American Pioneer Cumberland Posey, iconic Chicago Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf, four-time WNBA Champion Sheryl Swoopes and global ambassador of the game Yao Ming,

As the Official Jacket Provider of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, Haggar® worked closely with the Basketball Hall of Fame and legends of the game to redesign the jacket, which includes a number of symbolic new features:

Naismith Orange™ color, representing the true hue of the basketball
Custom quality wool fabric from yarn used in the finest suiting
A silver lining with Basketball Hall of Fame and Haggar logos
Antiqued brass buttons with dual logos
A larger felted patch showcasing a basketball court and the Basketball Hall of Fame emblem
An embroidered woven interior label screen-printed with the name of each recipient
Made by hand in Ohio
"As a leader in menswear, Haggar was the perfect choice to help us update the Basketball Hall of Fame jacket to create an iconic piece," said John L. Doleva, President and CEO of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. "The new Basketball Hall of Fame jacket is instantly recognizable and reflective of the honorees' outstanding and unique contributions to the sport."

Each jacket is custom fit and carefully made by Haggar based on measurements taken during the Basketball Hall of Fame class announcement in April. From start to finish, it takes up to three months for each jacket to be completed. There have only been 13 of the new jackets produced for Class of 2016 and for display at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and Haggar.

Haggar became the Official Jacket Provider of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2014.