Sports history is on display

Impossible to miss, there they sit, tucked away in a glass display

case.

Massive would be a good adjective to use in describing them, or

even Aristotelian.

They are the “wow factor,” as Kellie Newcombe describes them, and

they are one of the most popular attractions at the Newport Sports

Collection Foundation museum.

A whopping size 22, Shaquille O’Neal’s white and purple high-top

Reeboks lie next to a plethora of other current and former NBA stars’

shoes, just one of many, many sports memorabilia items on display at

the sports museum in Newport Beach near Fashion Island.

Large and in charge, the “Big Aristotle’s” shoes attract loads of

attention, from wide-eyed little kids to intrigued adults.

“They’re one of the most popular, probably o7the f7most popular

items,” said Newcombe, the museum program director. “They’ve got the

‘wow factor.’ Everybody has individual things they like, but this is

definitely the ‘wow factor.’ ”

Open for 10 years, the museum houses the personal collection of

Corona del Mar businessman John Hamilton. The foundation, a nonprofit

organization utilizing famous athletes to educate today’s youth about

athletic values and the importance of staying in school, off of drugs

and out of gangs, was started when the museum opened in 1995.

This year, the museum -- which holds more than 10,000 items -- is

undergoing a face-lift, with a new addition being added adjacent to

the main room.

At a cost estimated by Newcombe at around $500,000, the expansion

room will include an interactive gym where athletes will be able to

demonstrate aspects of a wide array of sports, including basketball,

golf, tennis, baseball, hockey and volleyball. Visitors will be able

to participate as well.

The project, which began in February, is expected to be completed

in October, Newcombe said.

But the new addition will merely add to the museum’s already

historically breathtaking sports collection, which Hamilton began

piecing together in 1953 after friend of his father’s gave him a

football signed by the Look All-American football team.

Hamilton kept adding to the collection year after year until he

finally made the decision to put it all on display.

“What good is having a Renoir in your basement if no one can see

the beauty of it?” Hamilton is notoriously famous for asking.

Apparently, according to Hamilton, there is none.

“The most enjoyable thing for me is seeing the kids when a Brooks

Robinson, Ronnie Lott or Jim Abbott come in and talk to the them,”

Hamilton said. “Ronnie is unbelievable when he speaks. Jim Abbott --

the kids are in awe of seeing how he overcame his challenge in life.”

Abbott, born without a right hand, became a star pitcher with the

Angels.

Approximately 4,000 children have visited the museum this year

through organized groups, Hamilton said.

The kids’ satisfaction is what the owner enjoys the most.

“It’s immeasurable,” he said. “There’s no way to describe it. Not

only do I get to be around all this memorabilia all the time, but I

get to see the impact and affect on the kids. Through our program

we’re affecting lives of people all around Southern California, so I

can’t measure it.”

Aside from the former Laker star’s massive shoes, there are plenty

of other interesting items on display, ranging from baseballs and

jerseys autographed and worn by Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Joe Dimaggio

and Mickey Mantle, among others, to footballs and equipment signed or

worn by Joe Montana, Jerry Rice, Bart Starr and Walter Payton, among

others.

There are baseballs signed by every World Series championship team

since 1940, including the most recent addition -- a ball signed by

members of the 2004 world champion Boston Red Sox.

There’s an Olympics section with a jersey of 1980 hockey gold medalist Jim Craig.

The golf section includes clubs and bags used by former

presidents. On and on it goes.

But Hamilton has his favorite.

“Eisenhower’s clubs, without question,” he said, referring to a

set of golf clubs used by the former president.

And every little kid who visits has their favorite.

“The most popular item depends on the group or age, but, believe

it or not, a simple thing like Shaq’s shoes get a lot of attention,”

Hamilton said.

And there they sit, sharing a display case with shoes worn and

signed by Charles Barkley, Karl Malone, Tim Hardaway, Dennis Rodman,

Shawn Kemp, Tim Jackson, Patrick Ewing, Tracy Murray and Dikembe

Mutombo.

O’Neal’s, however, are in a class by themselves.

For information call (949) 721-9333.