Patrick Fergus & Tucker Paquette
@Fergus5Fergus
@tpaquette17
The Spalding Hoophall Classic is coming to Springfield College once again this winter, as games will take place from Thursday, Jan. 12 through Monday, Jan. 16.
The five-day long event, which features some of the best high school players and teams in the country, is a huge deal for the campus community.
Lots of work goes into preparing for Hoophall, as there are up to nine games each day, scheduled right up against each other. So, if a game runs behind schedule, then the rest of the day’s itinerary must be adjusted accordingly.
With this in mind, lots of planning is required, as well as pressure to keep things running on time. Everyone involved has a role to play in making sure things go smoothly.
Kathy Smith, Director of Conferences and Special Events at Springfield College, oversees a variety of elements of Hoophall, including managing budgets, hospitality and sponsors.
Interestingly, the planning for Hoophall isn’t confined to the winter months — far from it, in fact.
“It’s a year-round planning process,” Smith said.
Ultimately, everyone associated with Hoophall hopes that all of the hard work put into planning for the event yields a fruitful and fun few days with plenty of quality basketball.
“For me, I look forward to a safe and successful event,” Smith said. “Those are my expectations. And [we also want] an excellent customer service experience, so everyone that comes onto our campus, in whatever role they’re in, that they get where they need to go and that they have a good experience.”
The event isn’t just a big deal for the school and the community, but a staple of the Sport Management program, the chosen major of the many students who will work the event.
Since 2002, Springfield College has played host to the annual showcase, and the Sport Management department has always been heavily involved with its running. Dr. Kevin McAllister, the chair of the program, hangs a collection of lanyards in his office from every tournament he’s had the pleasure of working over his 20-year career.
McAllister, along with Assistant Professor Heather Gilmour, led a months-long process of choosing security, event staff, liaisons, and supervisors that essentially run the event and take care of the teams and spectators.
”It’s a great opportunity for about 80 to 100 students to get a pretty valuable experience,” said McAllister
Two or three liaisons are assigned to each team that participates in the tournament, and are with the teams from the moment they step into Blake Arena to their departure. Their responsibilities include getting the team to the practice facilities, locker rooms and to the main court in time for the games.
”The selection process for liaisons is long, but we choose on a variety of enthusiasm to work in events and overall good standing,” McAllister said
Above the liaisons, supervisors work closely with event management to make sure that everything runs smoothly and that their fellow students are executing their roles efficiently.
Junior Sport Management majors Isabella Samse and Jeff Madeia have taken charge as the Head Supervisors for the event this year.
”Our main responsibility is making sure everyone is confident and comfortable with what they are going to be doing in their role,” Samse said.
Over the course of the fall semester, Samse and Madeia have been leading meetings for all first-year students, who are required to work at the Hoophall Classic for their event management classes. Heavily involved in the selection process, both are thrilled with the chance to embrace the leadership role and set an example for future supervisors.
”We’ve already been working for a while, with over two months in preparation, choosing volunteers, liaisons, and supervisors, and just making sure we are getting the best people for the job,” Madeia said. ”It’s really exciting to take on a leadership role this year because it was a good challenge having to organize such a big event.”
Both were involved in the 20th annual showcase last year, they emerged as clear favorites for the position. ”They showed a lot of initiative, and had some experience at the tournament from last year,” said McAllister.
Although it’s being graded, Hoophall is also an exciting prospect for first-year students like Jake Polites. Just one of six underclassmen selected to serve as a liaison, Polites plans to make the most of the opportunity.
“It’s a great chance to expand my network, and to learn to become more of a professional in the sport management field.” Polites said.
The 2023 Spalding Hoophall classic will highlight the impressive work of hundreds of students and staff, all culminating in Springfield College’s must see event of the year.
Photo Courtesy Springfield College