This past weekend brought the 9th annual installment of Hoop Up Springfield to Western Mass. The innovative basketball tournament turned summer job fair sponsored by the Hampden County District Attorney’s Office takes place in American International College’s (AIC) Butova Gymnasium in partnership with the college’s Saremi Center for Career Development, and each year it is free to the public.
The initiative was chiefly dreamed up by Hampden County District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni. The goal of the event is to present students, ages 11 through 18, with the chance to be competitive as athletes while learning about career readiness and the value of community connection. Students aged 14 and older had the opportunity to meet representatives from ten employers, including Big Y, Six Flags, the Massachusetts State Police Department and Eastern States Exposition (ESE), home of Hooplandia. Hoop Up Springfield promised attendees great basketball, good food and a whole lot of fun.
Middle schoolers and high schoolers formed teams for the 3x3 basketball tournament and drills, as well as groups for a simultaneous cheerleading clinic. Both workshops were facilitated by students from AIC’s basketball teams and cheer teams.
Sam Roberts, Hooplandia event coordinator, and Brian Geitner, group sales and promotional outreach intern, represented ESE throughout the job fair. They provided visitors with information about volunteer opportunities at Storrowton Village Museum and Hooplandia, job openings and internships through ESE and recruited teams Hooplandia 2025, the Northeast’s Ultimate 3x3 Basketball Tourney + Festival.
While reflecting on the day, Roberts, said, “District Attorney Gulluni put together a fantastic event for the 9th annual Hoop Up Springfield! Overall, this was an incredible event. It positively impacts so many young adults in the Greater Springfield community. I was proud to be in attendance,” he concluded.
District Attorney Gulluni has stated that the goal of the event is to prevent high risk behavior amongst youths by providing children with meaningful alternatives, such as recreational sports and seasonal job opportunities. Summers can be devoid of the structure offered by schools and sports schedules, so Hoop Up Springfield aims to promote employment and athletic events, such as Hooplandia, that are both rewarding and regimented.
The hope that Hoop Up Springfield organizers carry is that attendees will depart the day-long fair feeling inspired to reach their full potential and that they will be equipped with a plethora of new connections and helping hands eager to help them achieve their dreams.