On Friday, June 19, Hooplandia’s Friday Night Hooptacular was in full swing with more ballers than ever competing in heated rivalry games and Western Mass. Championship rematches. Annually, law firm Bulkley Richardson sponsors the event’s Sportsmanship Award during the tournament, and this year’s recipient is none other than James Gee, President and CEO of the Springfield Ballers. Mark Cress of Bulkley Richardson presented Gee with this honor at an evening reception amidst gameplay.
Founded in 1924, Bulkley Richardson is the largest full-service law firm based in Western Mass. with offices located in downtown Springfield, Pittsfield, Hadley and Great Barrington. The firm provides high-quality legal services to local and national clients, addressing a broad range of sophisticated matters.
In partnership with Hooplandia producer and host site, Eastern States Exposition (ESE), Bulkley Richardson is honored to present the Sportsmanship Award each year to a deserving person, group or organization within the community that exhibits the qualities of good sportsmanship both on and off the court.
“As the momentum around Hooplandia continues to grow, Bulkley Richardson is proud to sponsor this incredible community event,” said Jennifer Jacque, Head of Marketing and Business Development at Bulkley Richardson. “Basketball is much more than a game—it teaches valuable life skills, including teamwork, discipline, communication and conflict resolution. The lessons learned on the court extend far beyond the game, helping athletes build confidence, resilience and the skills needed to succeed in life. We are excited to support an event that brings our community together.”
The ceremony was opened by ESE President and CEO Gene Cassidy who thanked distinguished attendees, including local mayors and Vice President of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Greg Procino, and introduced Mark Cress of Bulkley Richardson’s Executive Committee to the stage.
“Bulkley Richardson, in partnership with Eastern States, created the Sportsmanship Award, and we look forward to giving it to a deserving recipient who exhibits the qualities of good sportsmanship each year,” Cress said. “This person shows respect and is known for their hard work, positive attitude, fairness, integrity and fair play.
“Like past recipients, this year’s recipient has made a significant impact on the game of basketball as head coach of the highly successful Springfield Central High School Golden Eagles girls’ basketball team and as President and CEO of a local nonprofit focused on the mentorship of youth in sports, the Springfield Ballers,” continued Cress. “Coach James Gee has had a positive impact on our community, and his legacy is measured not only by the number of young lives he has inspired but by his accomplishments on the court and as a coach. I am so honored to present Coach James Gee with this award.”
Of Gee’s impact, Hooplandia General Manager Drew Dawson said, “Coach Gee was a player at the higher levels of the game in college. He has been a rockstar in the community as an AAU coach, a very successful women’s coach. As a fellow coach, I am proud to be a part of his recognition tonight.”
After receiving his award, Gee said, “I’m excited to join the individuals who have earned the Sportsmanship Award before me. I am grateful that I was thought of or considered for such a prestigious award, so I am super excited and surprised at the same time. I am definitely appreciative.”
As Gee looked upon the crowd, he could see the smiling faces of many of the girls he coached to victory during Springfield Central High School’s basketball season this year. Of those young women and the other youths he has worked with, Gee shared, “Those kids are responsible for every success I’ve had within the sports world. They are 100% responsible for all of that—by their work and their effort and their belief in me and my principles and my mission. They and we all believe together that we can achieve success, so I am even more excited for them and their accomplishments than I am for myself.”
There are few ballers in Western Massachusetts that do not know the name James Gee.
Coach Gee earned his Master of Education from the University of Massachusetts Amherst in 2007. He is an education specialist at Springfield Public Schools, where he has instructed since 2006, and he has served as the head coach of the women’s varsity basketball team at Springfield Central High School since 2021. In 2026, Gee led the Golden Eagles to a Division I first-round win over Marshfield High School, which was monumental both for Central and his personal resume, as this success marked his hundredth career win as a coach.
Gee is also proud to be President and CEO of the Springfield Ballers, a nonprofit youth organization dedicated to empowering and supporting children across Springfield and the city’s surrounding communities. With a team of passionate volunteer coaches, we serve more than 1,000 young people each year through a wide range of programs that play sports and mentorship accessible to all. The Springfield Ballers provide free clinics, reduced participation fees to athletic events and offer opportunities for students to take part in golf, track and field, lacrosse and softball in addition to basketball.
The Springfield Ballers have served Greater Springfield for more than 20 years, providing the region’s students with a cumulative $7 million in scholarships. Their impact has rippled across generations, and none of that would be possible if not for the attention and care of Coach James Gee, a deserving recipient of this year’s Sportsmanship Award, sponsored by Bulkley Richardson.
Previous recipients of the Sportsmanship Award include the respected John Doleva, President and CEO of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, and Professor Emily Must of the University of Massachusetts Amherst Isenberg School of Management, who serves as the faculty contact for the McCormack Students Leaders and the Director of Internships & Senior Lecturer of Sport Management.
ESE extends congratulations to Coach James Gee and thanks him for his belief in Hooplandia and service to Greater Springfield.