Hoop Club Holiday Classic Returns Dec. 21
PITTSFIELD, Mass. -- The Pittsfield Hoop Club Hall of Fame continues its long-standing tradition of supporting local student-athletes and celebrating the city’s rich sports tradition with the 2018 Pittsfield Hoop Club Holiday Classic on Dec. 21 at the Boys and Girls Club.
The event will showcase the boys varsity and junior varsity basketball teams from both PHS and Taconic and taking on early-season rivals.
“This is a great opportunity for local basketball fans to celebrate the holiday season, support a great cause, and see multiple teams play under one roof," Hoop Club President John McLaughlin said. “In addition to providing additional exposure for local high school teams, and an increased awareness of the mission of the Hoop Club, we hope that this event to be well received by the community and local youth players.”
The PHS and Taconic JV teams square off against each other in the day’s first game, followed by a varsity doubleheader with Pittsfield High and Taconic playing host to Western Mass opponents later in the evening. The annual Pittsfield Hoop Club Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will also serve as a highlight of the evening – with former players, coaches, and contributors joining the Hall of Fame – including Jim McNeice (St. Joe 1984), Brendan Burke (St. Joe 2005), and Tyrone Gadson (PHS 1985) making up the Hoop Club Hall of Fame Class of 2018.
The JV contest will lead off the evening at 4 p.m. At 5:30, PHS will host Longmeadow. Following the Hall of Fame induction at about 7, Taconic will host Lenox in the nightcap.
Tickets for the Pittsfield Hoop Club Holiday Classic will be available at the door the day of the event. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for students and senior citizens. Youth players are encouraged to attend wearing their team uniforms. Youth players in uniform will receive free admission. Tickets are valid for admission to all three games being played.
Since 1998, The Pittsfield Hoop Club has contributed more than to $75,000 to local student-athletes through their scholarship program. Proceeds from the Pittsfield Hoop Club Holiday Classic will be used to support the mission of the organization, which includes recognizing Pittsfield’s basketball history and providing scholarship opportunities to graduating high school players.
In addition to the Pittsfield Hoop Club Holiday Classic, The Hoop Club also hosts a variety of other annual showcase events that further support the mission of the organization. The Hoop Club’s Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony takes place each December and recognizes players, coaches, and teams who have significantly contributed to the city’s basketball history. Each April, the organization also awards scholarships to graduating seniors from our local high schools.