On Friday, March 21, Eastern States Exposition’s (ESE) Group Sales and Promotional Outreach Intern, Brian Geitner, visited the Springfield Thunderbirds at MassMutual Center and brought the excitement of the Northeast’s Ultimate 3x3 Basketball Tourney + Festival to the ice.
The T-Birds faced off against the Milwaukee Admirals, in what began as a neck-and-neck game. Loyal fans and first-time families alike rattled the bleachers with cheers of encouragement. After a brief halftime recess, it was evident that the luck of the Irish was not with the Thunderbirds that evening, but there is still plenty of season to go!
Lots of Irish entertainers were present, such as The Aqua String Band, the must-see Mummers string group from Philadelphia, Penn., visited the game in all their feathers and finery for an unforgettable performance, as well as the Holyoke Caledonian Pipe Band and a local dance unit. These troupes reminded viewers that Holyoke’s St. Patrick’s Road Race and Parade would kick off the next morning.
Geitner also contributed to the electric energy of the arena by providing a spin and win game for attendees eager to learn more about Hooplandia. Some of the swag distributed included signature branded scrunchies, mini basketballs and stickers, which are often given out to those that visit the table and inquire about volunteering and registration during pop-up events.
Hooplandia is not the only basketball organization to which Geitner contributes; he was recently selected for the All-Conference Third Team under the guidance of Western New England (WNE) University’s Coach Colin Tabb. “Coach T,” as he is affectionately nicknamed by many, was deemed the Conference of New England’s (CNE) Men’s Basketball Coach of the Year 2025. The WNE Golden Bears had an incredible season, advancing through the Conference of New England Championships and later at the NCAA Championships. They suffered an unfortunate loss to Trinity College in the third round of the NCAA Championships, but still returned home to Springfield, Mass., as the pride of the school following their strong performance in the Sweet 16.
Geitner is an all-star on and off the court, committed to his team and to spreading the good word of Hooplandia. If you catch him at an upcoming street team event, such as the Springfield Thunderbird’s Fan Appreciation Night on Saturday, April 19, be sure to pop by the booth and ask him all your burning questions about the summer’s biggest basketball event in Greater Springfield. The ESE team will also be at this coming Saturday's big game, March 29, for ESE Night at the Thunderbirds. Be sure to look out for the Hooplandia team during the puck drop!