Springfield College Students Gain Valuable Experience Working at Spalding Hoophall Classic
For the 12th consecutive year, members of the Springfield College Events Management 116 class assisted with all facets of operations at the 2016 Spalding Hoophall Classic from Jan. 14 through Jan.18 at Springfield College’s Blake Arena. More than 70 students gained valuable sport management experience in a real-life setting.
“This event has become a valuable learning tool because it offers a great opportunity for Springfield College students to experience a first-class event and get direct hands-on experience,” said Springfield College Chair for the Department of Sport Management and Recreation Kevin McAllister. “It takes what the students have learned in the classroom and brings it all together in a live setting.”
The Spalding Hoophall Classic continues to be one of the premier high school basketball events nationwide. The College welcomes 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. Springfield College students will be working in a variety of roles during the event including serving as security, media relations assistants, event operations assistants, and liaisons to the participating teams.
“When the students see those ESPN trucks setup, and you start to feel the buzz of all of the big-name college coaches in attendance, they quickly realize this event is a big-time event,” said McAllister. “This is a great opportunity for the students and a great opportunity for the College.”
The Hoophall Classic celebrated its 15th anniversary in 2016, and this year also represented the 125th anniversary of the birth of basketball, which was invented by Dr. James Naismith in 1891 at Springfield College.
