KNIGHTSTOWN, Ind. - In association with the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, Grey Flannel Auctions' team of experts will conduct a free appraisal event - Sports Appraisals at Center Court - from 4-8 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 5 and 9 a.m. till noon on Saturday, Dec. 6, at the Historic Hoosier Gym in Knightstown, Ind. The public is invited to bring in any type of vintage sports collectibles, including but not limited to equipment, apparel, cards and autographed items.

Specialists who will be on hand include Nick Coppola (uniforms) and Joey Esposito (sports cards and programs), as well as all-round sports memorabilia experts T.J. Favila, Michael Russek, and Grey Flannel's president, Richard E. Russek.

"Our company has had a long involvement with vintage and collectible items from all major sports - baseball, football, hockey, basketball and others," said Richard Russek. "We've always wanted to do an appraisal event in Indiana, which has such a long and noble history in American sports. We're excited to be conducting appraisals in a place as beloved as the Hoosier Gym. Personally, I can't wait to see what will turn up at our appraisal event, either from established collections or people's attics. This will be a great opportunity for anyone owning a collectible sports item to find out exactly what it's worth, and free of charge."

The event has been planned to accommodate the many fans who will be in nearby Indianapolis for the Hartford Hall of Fame Showcase basketball games - the first basketball competitions to be held at the new Lucas Oil Stadium. "With our appraisals concluding at 12 noon on the Saturday, it will allow ample time to get to the 1:30 opening basketball game, Indiana University versus Gonzaga University, followed by a 4 p.m. game between Notre Dame and Ohio State," Russek said.

Widely recognized for its staff's scrupulous and uncompromising methods in authenticating professional sports memorabilia, Grey Flannel Auctions is the official appraiser and authenticator for both the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass., and the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association. Sotheby's appointed Grey Flannel to authenticate the largest and most important baseball uniform collection ever to come to auction, the Barry Halper collection.

Among the many history-making items that have been entrusted to Grey Flannel Auctions in the past are the 1978 Heisman Trophy, which sold for $300,000; and Babe Ruth's immortal New York Yankees "called shot" uniform, which realized more than $1 million.

For additional information on Sports Appraisals at Center Court, call 631-288-7800 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Visit Grey Flannel's Web site at www.greyflannel.com.

The Historic Hoosier Gym, site of the classic 1986 film Hoosiers, is located at 355 N. Washington St., Knightstown, IN 46148, 38 miles east of downtown Indianapolis. Tel. 765-345-2626.

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