– Springfield College to Continue Hosting Premier High School Showcase and Collaboration on Academic Opportunities –
SPRINGFIELD, MASS. – The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame announced today the extension of its longstanding partnership with Springfield College, a partnership that reflects the core values of Naismith’s vision for the game of basketball while providing numerous academic opportunities for current students at Springfield College. The history of the relationship between Springfield College and the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame dates back to the original Hall of Fame on the Springfield College campus.
“Springfield College has been an exceptional partner in celebrating the game of basketball and promoting the next generation of sports professionals,” said John L. Doleva, President and CEO of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. “Extending this partnership reflects our shared commitment to honoring basketball’s roots while creating meaningful opportunities for student leaders and the next generation of players at the Birthplace of Basketball.”
Springfield College has served as the home of the Hoophall Classic since the event’s inception in 2002. The annual nationally televised and covered, high school basketball showcase has grown into the premier prep event in the country, featuring elite boy’s and girl’s programs and top-ranked players from across the nation, many of whom have gone on to successful collegiate and professional careers, including more than 150 players currently in the NBA and WNBA.
The partnership also supports the next generation of sports industry leaders through the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Scholarship, annually awarded at Hoophall Classic for the exceptional work of future sport professionals, as well as multiple internships, job opportunities, and other academic collaborations year-round.
“This partnership brings the future of the game to the place where it was born,” said Mary-Beth Cooper, President of Springfield College. “Each year, as fans gather on our campus for the Hoophall Classic, they see not only extraordinary young women and men competing, but also the lasting impact this collaboration has on our students through meaningful, hands-on learning experiences. It reflects the enduring vision of Naismith and the continued power of basketball to educate and connect. We are proud to extend this partnership and excited to continue building what comes next together.”
This extension of partnership will take effect on July 1, 2026 and continue for at minimum two years.
About the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame
Located in Springfield, Massachusetts, the city where basketball was born, the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame is an independent nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to promoting, preserving, and celebrating the game of basketball at every level – men and women, amateur and professional players, coaches and contributors – both domestically and internationally. The Hall of Fame Museum is home to more than 475 inductees and over 40,000 square feet of basketball history. Nearly 200,000 people visit the Hall of Fame Museum each year to learn about the game, experience the interactive exhibits, and test their skills on the Jerry Colangelo “Court of Dreams.” Best known for its annual marquee Enshrinement Ceremony honoring the game’s elite, the Hall of Fame also operates over 150 high school and collegiate competitions annually throughout the country and abroad. For more information on the Basketball Hall of Fame organization, its museum, and events, visit hoophall.com and follow @hoophall.
