Springfield College Students Help Run HoopHall Classic SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WGGB) — The best of high school basketball is right here in Western Massachusetts for the Spalding HoopHall Classic. But, it’s not just a big weekend for the players and their teams. Sport Management students from Springfield College help run and organize this nationally recognized four-day tournament. “This isn’t classroom work, you’re in front of everything,” explains Joey Acquanita, a junior at Springfield College. “You’re in front of the players. And, of course, the intangibles and the variables that you don’t see that you have to prepare for in the working force.” These students help usher basketball fans, escort teams, and make sure the tournament runs smoothly and according to plans. “They’re given a living laboratory, a live event on an annual basis — really to sink their teeth into, to become a part of [the Basketball Hall of Fame] staff that runs our entire event,” says Paul Lambert, Vice President of Guest Experience at the Basketball Hall of Fame. “We couldn’t do it without them.” And, students — get to see the top recruits for college basketball. “You don’t really realize that you’re seeing the best high school basketball players in the country right before your eyes,” says Eric Pouliot, a junior at Springfield College. “We’ve seen a lot of players that we saw when I was a freshman, and they’re already in the NBA. And, they’re already superstars there.” In its 14th year, the HoopHall Classic has grown into one of the biggest high school tournaments in the country — drawing in fans locally and nationwide. College basketball coaches from top universities were also in attendance — making the basketball court at Springfield College a big stage for the players and these students. The HoopHall Classic wraps-up on Monday, January 19th in a game between Paul VI High School and Chaminade College Prep at 5 p.m.
Posted on: Mon, 19 Jan 2015 04:04:35 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015