2017 Spalding Hoophall Classic Information

A Message from the Office of Conferences and Special Events:

Springfield College is proud to once again host the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame’s 2017 Spalding Hoophall Classic. The event will take place in Blake Arena from Thursday, Jan. 12, through Monday, Jan. 16 and celebrates the 125th anniversary of the sport of basketball that was invented at Springfield College by Dr. James Naismith in 1891.

The tournament continues to be one of the premier high school basketball events nationwide. We will welcome 50 teams and more than 8,000 visitors to campus throughout the weekend. The College enters the national stage again this year as many of the games will be televised on ESPN and ESPNU. 

The top five players in the ESPN Top 100 will all participate, including DeAndre Ayton of Hillcrest, Michael Porter of Nathan Hale Academy, Wendell Carter of Pace Academy, Mohamed Bamba of Westtown and Trevon Duval of IMG Academy. Marvin Bagley, the top overall 2018 prospect, will also participate. The top two players in 2019, R.J. Barrett of Montverde and Charles Bassey of Saint Anthony, will play as well.

Girl's basketball takes center court all day Friday with five games scheduled. Highlights include defending Division I state champion Bishop Feehan taking on Long Beach Poly (CA), at 7:30 p.m., and 2016 Western Mass Division I finalist Central playing St. John Neumann-Maria Goretti (PA) at 9 p.m. 

The event serves as a tremendous onsite academic experience for the College’s SMRT 116 Event Management classes and provides hands-on leadership/management experience for the members of the College’s Sport Management Club. Communications/Sports Journalism students also gain valuable experience covering the event for print media throughout the country.

Some important reminders for staff, faculty, and students:

For more information about the tournament or about tickets for the general public, visit hoophall.com.

Please be aware that parking will be limited on campus beginning on Thursday, Jan. 12. Lot 10 (behind the PE Complex) and Lot 7 (Gulick Hall) will be closed from Thursday through Monday, Jan. 16. Department heads will provide a list for special parking in Lot 10 during the tournament to the Office of Conferences and Special Events and will be coordinated by the Department of Public Safety. Please go through your department chair or supervisor if you believe you should be included on the parking list.

Shuttle vans will be running the entire weekend of the Hoophall Classic from all other parking lots.

Building Access will be as follows: 

Physical Education Complex:

Turnstile entrance - All Access Hoophall Classic Credential only.

Back Door of Dana Gym - Hoophall Classic Teams, Hoophall Classic Officials, Springfield College Students/personnel working the event with their Hoophall Classic and Springfield College identification, and guest credential pass holders that are on the parking lot #10 parking list.

Blake Arena stairs – Hoophall Classic Ticket holders, will call, ticket sales and media.

Wellness Center:

Beginning Thursday at 3 p.m., all faculty, coaches, and teams with scheduled activities in the Physical Education Complex, ATRN, Strength & Conditioning, Field House, Wellness Center and HPER Offices are to enter through the Wellness Center and must have and use their Springfield College ID to enter through the turnstiles.

All participants and spectators in the Junior Hoophall Classic Saturday, Sunday, and Monday must pass through the metal detectors at the main entrance to the Wellness Center to gain access to the Field House.