SPRINGFIELD, Mass. -- The world's most exclusive basketball club finally includes Dave Gavitt.

It's an honor that one basketball official after another said at last night's Hall of Fame induction ceremony was long overdue. In fact, Gavitt's selection acted as a drawing card for several Hall of Famers, including the only Providence College alum ever inducted as a player.

"I haven't been back here for a few years, but Dave is one of the reasons I'm back this year," said Lenny Wilkens. "He's done so much for basketball. It's a better game because of Dave Gavitt."

The former Providence College coach and Big East commissioner was welcomed into the Hall in a ceremony filled with the reality that few people have made an impact on the game as a true basketball insider like Gavitt. For one, the event was held in a sparkling new auditorium just outside downtown Springfield that rose in large part do to Gavitt's work as the chairman of the Hall's Board of Directors.

Before the ceremony started, Gavitt and the other five men in this year's induction class -- Geno Auriemma, Charles Barkley, Joe Dumars, Alessandro Gamba and Dominique Wilkins -- were the focus amid the world's best basketball cocktail party. More than 50 current Hall members, young and old, were on hand and exchanged frequent hugs. In one corner, Bob Cousy, Bob Pettit and Ed Macauley talked about the old days. In another, Connie Hawkins, Julius Erving and David Thompson traded tales from their sky-walking days. Chuck Daly, Meadowlark Lemon, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Isiah Thomas and so many more legends were sprinkled around the lobby of the Hall, as well.

But plopped amid the stars were those who came to pay homage to Gavitt. Many of his former players made the trip, including Marvin Barnes, Ernie DiGregorio and Kevin Stacom, the stars of his 1973 Final Four team. Current PC coach Tim Welsh and former Friar mentor Rick Barnes were on hand, as were a busload of friends from Rhode Island, including members of the Big East office staff and Providence College officials and the college's president, the Rev. Brian J. Shanley.

Gavitt sat at a table off the main concourse and shook hands with a parade of well-wishers. "I'm nervous," he said with a smile. "I hope I don't hyperventilate."

When the ceremony began and it was Gavitt's turn to take the stage, he was escorted by four Hall of Fame coaches with Big East ties: Jim Boeheim (Syracuse), Lou Carnesecca (St. John's), Jim Calhoun (Connecticut) and John Thompson (Georgetown). Gavitt's remarks were filled with words of thanks and appreciation, a brief synopsis of his life in the game, and also hope for the game's future.

"I've been around a long, long time doing a lot of things in this game, but to look around and see so many friends, former players and important people in my life that it is overwhelming and it is humbling," Gavitt said.

As a picture of a young Gavitt wearing an Olympic coaching shirt shone above the stage, he spoke of the great teachers he learned the game from. They included his two college coaches at Dartmouth, Alvin "Doggie" Julian and Al McGuire (both Hall of Famers) and legendary Providence coach Joe Mullaney. "I went on to coach because those men excited and inspired me," he said.

Gavitt then spoke about his greatest accomplishment, the creation and stunning success of the Big East. He turned to his left and made note of his four presenters, men who took advantage of Gavitt's creation and went on to win four national championships.

"We came across the sky like a meteor in the first 10, 11 years," said Gavitt. "The Big East was what it was because of our coaches. It was a coach's league."

Gavitt, who lives in Rumford and turns 69 next month, said he's not ready to walk away from the game. In fact, he made a plea for the NCAA and the NBA to reach out to today's young people and place an added emphasis on education.

"We have come too far with young black men from Alabama and Louisiana and women and foreign players to go backwards," he said. "We need to make sure our young people either make it in this game or make it with an education."

Gavitt concluded his remarks by saying how much he enjoyed his time leading up to what is the pinnacle of a life spent in basketball.

"At a moment like this, your life passes in front of you," he said. "My life has been about faith, family and friendship, and I thank everyone who's helped me along the way."

kmcnamar@projo.com / (401) 277-7340