18.04 – The International Boxing Hall of Fame announced today Syracuse University Men's Basketball Head Coach Jim Boeheim has been named Grand Marshal of the 2003 Hall of Fame Parade of Champions scheduled for Sunday, June 8th at 1 p.m.

"The Hall of Fame is extremely excited about welcoming Coach Boeheim to Canastota,'" said Hall of Fame Executive Director Edward Brophy. "He's a remarkable coach and it will be a thrill to have him participate in the parade and visit with the fans from around the world."

One of the most successful coaches in college basketball, Boeheim has guided the Syracuse Orangemen for 27 years. As head coach, he has registered 653 wins, 25 seasons with 20 wins or more, 22 trips to the NCAA Tournament, and is a three-time BIG EAST Coach of the Year. On April 7th, the Orangemen defeated Kansas 81-78 for the 2003 NCAA Division I championship. The victory earned Boeheim and Syracuse University their first national championship.

"I've always been a big boxing fan and I'm honored and excited about being named the Grand Marshal of the Hall of Fame's parade," said Boeheim. "It will be a great time. I'm looking forward to it."

The Parade of Champions, set for Sunday, June 8th at 1:00 p.m., will pass through the streets of Canastota and lead to the grounds of the Hall of Fame Museum prior to the start of the Official Induction Ceremony honoring the new class of inductees.

Living inductees to be honored include welterweight king Curtis Cokes, 2-time heavyweight champion George Foreman, junior welterweight champion Nicolino Locche, 3-division champion Mike McCallum, journalist Jack Fiske and author/screenwriter Budd Schulberg. Posthumous inductees will also be honored.

Over 50 boxing stars, including Marvelous Marvin Hagler, James "Buster" Douglas, Angelo Dundee, Aaron Pryor, Alexis Arguello, and Carmen Basilio, are scheduled to participate in the parade.

"With the lineup of marching bands, boxing celebrities including George Foreman, and now Coach Boeheim, this should be our biggest parade ever," said parade chairperson Charlene Barres.

For more information on the 14th Annual Induction Weekend, June 5-8th, please call (315) 697-7095.