Holyoke v. Springfield YMCA Youth Game Set for Saturday at the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame
Youth athletes from across Western Massachusetts will gather at the Birthplace of Basketball for the Holyoke v. Springfield YMCA Youth Game, taking place Saturday, August 29th from 5:00–8:30 P.M. at Center Court inside the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.
This event celebrates community, healthy competition, and the enduring legacy of basketball in Western Massachusetts. It will bring together young players, local sponsors, and community leaders to promote sportsmanship and regional unity.
The tournament is made possible through generous contributions from the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, the Greater Holyoke YMCA, the YMCA of Greater Springfield, State Senator Adam Gomez, State Senator John Velis, and the local Springfield Domino’s, whose support helps ensure a meaningful and engaging experience for youth participants.
Featured participants include: • State Senator Adam Gomez (D-Springfield) • State Senator John Velis (D-Holyoke) • John Doleva, President & CEO of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame • Conor Bevan, CEO of the Greater Holyoke YMCA • Dexter Johnson, President & CEO of the YMCA of Greater Springfield
Senator Gomez had this to say about the event taking place Saturday, “I am so honored to play a small role in bringing together these two communities and our youth at the birthplace of basketball for a game and conversation on how we may effectively advocate for positive change and bring the
idea of sportsmanship to life in our cities. I want to thank John Doleva, the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, the YMCA’s of Greater Springfield and Holyoke, and my partner in the Senate, John Velis for making this possible. These are the types of experiences that make a lasting impact on our future leaders, and I am glad to see this come to fruition for the kids.”
"To me, this is what it’s all about — bringing kids and communities together, giving them a chance to have some fun, and doing it at an institution like the Basketball Hall of Fame that means so much to Western Massachusetts,” commented Senator Velis. “I’m grateful to the Hall of Fame and our YMCAs for making this possible. This is going to be a really special experience for these kids, and I’m just happy we could help bring everyone together and make it happen.”
John Doleva, President & CEO of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame stated, “The Naismith Hall of Fame is thrilled to host this very meaningful event on the Jerry Colangelo Court of Dreams. The roots of the game of basketball invented by James Naismith is traced directly to the YMCA here in Springfield and there is no better way to honor Dr. Naismith than welcoming youth from our surrounding communities for a tournament such as this. We welcome the teams, their families, our thoughtful Senators who created the challenge, and the good people from both YMCA’s who work hard to deliver so much healthy living to our communities!”
Conor Bevan, CEO of the Greater Holyoke YMCA added, “Greater Holyoke YMCA believes youth voice and civic engagement are essential because young people bring fresh perspectives, challenge the status quo, and will actively shape the future of our region. We are excited to team up with YMCA of Greater Springfield, Senator Velis, & Senator Gomez to create a platform in which teens can build a healthy relationship with their elected officials and learn how to advocate for positive change with their peers in our community.”
Dexter Johnson, President and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Springfield had this to say, “The YMCA of Greater Springfield is proud to be a part of this community effort. It is important for the youth from these 2 communities to learn the importance of collaboration and working with others. Whether that is on the court, in the neighborhood or in the political arena, we have to rely on one another to have success.