2015 Spalding Hoophall Classic Award Winners Announced at Event

At left, Springfield College President Mary-Beth Cooper, Sport Management major Emily Vance, Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame President and CEO John Doleva, and Sport Management major Eric Pouliot take part in the 2015 Hoophall Classic Leadership Award ceremony at Blake Arena.

Springfield College and the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame presented the third annual Hoophall Classic Leadership Award to Springfield College sport management students Eric Pouliot and Emily Vance.  Springfield College President Mary-Beth Cooper and Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame President and Chief Executive Officer John Doleva made the formal presentation during the 2015 Spalding Hoophall Classic at Blake Arena.

Both Pouliot and Vance served as head supervisors for the 2015 Hoophall Classic, the leading high school basketball tournament in the country showcasing the nation’s top recruits. As part of their responsibilities, Pouliot and Vance created and developed work schedules for more than 75 student event staff workers and more than 30 student liaisons; created and conducted training sessions for volunteers of the event; collaborated with Springfield College Office of Conferences & Special Events, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, and ESPN to ensure schedules of events; and supervised all event operations during the five-day tournament.

Pouliot is a native of South Hadley, Mass, and is a member of the Springfield College Sport Management Club.  In 2014, Pouliot worked as a supervisor during the Hoophall Classic, helping to direct in-game operations and operational procedures. Along with working toward a degree in sport management, Pouliot also has a double minor in business management and economics.  He is a member of the Springfield College Business Club, and also works on the campus as a student assistant for the Springfield College Office of Conferences & Special Events. Currently a dean’s list student, Pouliot continues to volunteer for the Special Olympics assisting basketball teams with scheduling and coaching.

Vance is a native of Greenwood Lake, N.Y., and is the president of the Springfield College Sport Management Club. She recently served as the club’s director of social media and marketing preparing agendas for all executive board meetings, and ensuring that on-campus events were being promoted using all social media outlets.  In 2014, Vance worked as a supervisor for the Hoophall Classic, and served as head supervisor for the Junior Hoophall Classic. Currently a dean’s list student, Vance remains an office assistant in the Sport Management and Recreation Department, assisting faculty members with marketing tools for prospective students. Vance maintains a minor in business management and has volunteered at events for the Special Olympics and the Doug Flutie Foundation.     

The Hoophall Classic Leadership Award is presented annually to both a male and female junior majoring in sport management who has demonstrated a combination of service to Springfield College, the Hoophall Classic, and who has maintained a successful grade point average.  Each recipient is awarded a $2,500 scholarship to be used during their senior year at Springfield College.

Founded in 1885, Springfield College is known worldwide for the guiding principles of its Humanics philosophy—educating students in spirit, mind and body for leadership in service to others. With its foundation of academic excellence and rich athletic heritage, Springfield College prepares students with real-world leadership skills for careers that transform lives and communities. The college offers a range of undergraduate and graduate degree programs in the fields of health sciences, human and social services, sport management and movement studies, education, business, and the arts and sciences. It also offers doctoral programs in physical education, physical therapy, and counseling psychology. The college is ranked in the 2015 edition of “Best Colleges” in the top tier of “Best Regional Universities – North Region” by U.S.News & World Report, and is designated as a premier Leadership Development Center by the YMCA of the USA. More than 5,000 traditional, nontraditional and international students study at its main campus in Springfield, Mass., and at its School of Human Services campuses across the country.