The Hanover Insurance Group is sponsoring the Naismith MemorialBasketball Hall of Fame's 2013 Class Announcement, the second timethe property and casualty insurer has been involved with the sportsaward.

“We're very excited to sponsor this marquis event for the secondyear in a row,” says Dick Lavey, senior vice president, fieldoperations and marketing at The Hanover. “Our company has alongstanding commitment to community, youth and excellence, and itmade sense to partner with an organization that inspires youngpeople to work to achieve excellence and reach their fullpotential—and always doing it with integrity.”

The official announcement will be broadcast live on NBA TV fromAtlanta on the morning of April 8, or Championship Monday of theNCAA Men's Final Four.

Other speakers will include Mannie Jackson, former owner of theHarlem Globetrotters, who is presenting Basketball's Human SpiritAward the day of the event; John Doleva, president and CEO of theHall of Fame, presenting the 2013 Cousy Award winner; Hall of Famemember and chairman Jerry Colangelo reporting on Enshrinement; andJim Nantz of CBS Sports announcing the Class of 2013.

“The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame welcomes andappreciates the support of The Hanover Insurance Group as we makeseveral exciting and newsworthy announcements at our pressconference at the Final Four,” said Doleva. “Our brands alignperfectly in that both reflect excellence in performance andcharacter, along with a commitment to being at the apex of ourrespective categories.”

The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame is located inSpringfield, Massachusetts, otherwise known as basketball'sbirthplace, and promotes and preserves the game for both genders atthe collegiate and professional levels.