Women's Basketball Hall of Fame Shines with Bandit Lites and Celebrates the 50th Anniversary of Title 9

	The Women's Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2022 Induction Ceremony and celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Title 9 at the Tennessee Theatre in Knoxville, Tennessee. Photo: Randy Sartin

The Women's Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2022 Induction Ceremony and celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Title 9 took place June 11 at the Tennessee Theatre with a lighting system provided by Bandit Lites. The 2022 Induction marked the 23rd Class of Inductees to be honored by the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame. The members of the Class of 2022 are: Debbie Antonelli (contributor), Alice "Cookie" Barron (veteran player), Doug Bruno (coach), Becky Hammon (player), Delisha Milton-Jones (player), Paul Sanderford (coach), Bob Schneider (coach), and Penny Taylor (international player).

"Every class, every year, is a special group of people," says Bandit Lites chair Michael T. Strickland, a long-time member of the Hall of Fame Board. "This year in particular, board member and longtime friend Debbie Antonelli was honored. Debbie is special to me and the Hall as she is not only a former player but is most notably a long-time basketball announcer on ESPN. Debbie has crossed that Rubicon and announce men's and women's games. Few people have done more for the game than Debbie. I congratulate all of the inductees for their amazing contributions."

The front of the stage was lit using the Tennessee Theatre's conventional lekos from the cove. Bandit hung GLP X4S from a house electric to use as backlight for both people on stage and at the lectern. Elation SIXPAR 100s toned A-type towers with Spandex wraps, framing the center speaking position with VL 2500 spots providing mid-level beams for haze.

"On the floor we had Martin MAC Auras and VL 2500 spots to up-light the drape backdrop," says Giff Swart, Bandit Lites project manager. "Lastly, we hung 9-lite DWE moles and 2-lite DWE moles from a different house electric to light the audience."

Since the show was streamed on ESPN2, Bandit Lites worked with the WATE TV crew to balance levels and saturation while still making the ceremony accommodate the attendees.

"We had what you might call a typical theatre setup for any event with front light, back light, and backdrop light," explains Swart. "What may have been most noticeable to the audience might have also the least likely understood: the moles. They were hung specifically to light the audience for TV. There was a 6' camera jib on stage to capture audience reaction and any callouts for specific people in the audience."

Bandit Lites worked to elevate the production to the highest level of excellence, with Andrew Ellis working as the LD, Chuck Hastings acting as both the Bandit crew chief as well as the event's stage manager and Jamie Sullivan rounding out the crew.

"2022 is the 50th Anniversary of the passage of Title 9, the groundbreaking legislation that afforded women equal rights in education and sports forever," notes Strickland. "The passage of Title 9 was the beginning of a long journey to assure women are afforded equal opportunity in education and sports, and all of these recipients have worked tirelessly toward that goal. The landscape today is very different than it was in 1973, and we at the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame work every day to assure that young women are given the opportunities and support they need to secure their place in the world today. One of the biggest influences in my life is the late, great Lady Vols head coach Pat Summitt. Without her influence on me I would not be where I am today."