Eastern States Exposition’s full-time staff is hard at work planning Hooplandia, which is why our Hoop Scoops reporter sat down with the street team, who work ‘round the shot clock to get the word out about Hooplandia, and found out what makes them so passionate about the sport.

Sam Roberts, Hooplandia Event Coordinator, has a basketball story that began during his childhood.

“I was probably 10-12 years old. I was always a baseball and soccer player, like my parents and brother before me. However, no one in the family had ever tried their hand at basketball,” he said. “One day, to keep me entertained, my dad bought a new hoop with a metal chain netting and put it up in our driveway. Almost daily I would go outside and shoot baskets, setting up chairs as if they were defenders and practicing dribbles.

“I would try to replicate what I had seen my favorite players in the NBA do on television the night before. That grassroots start led me to organized basketball, and even recreational leagues for fun. In a sense, that all brought me to Hooplandia,” Roberts said.

“The biggest portion of Hooplandia’s mission that resonates with me is its inclusivity. It provides an outlet for athletes everywhere to play the game no matter their age, race, gender or ability level,” he concluded, driving home the point that Hooplandia is a place for everyone, from the starting lineup to homegrown self-starters.

Brian Geitner, Group Sales and Promotional Outreach Intern, is Roberts’s righthand man. He shared, “I grew up around basketball; my dad is the head coach of the men’s team at Eastern Connecticut State University. So, for as long as I can remember, I’ve been playing the game and surrounded by it.

“I’m 22 years old now as my dad enters his 23rd season as head coach, so I was truly born into a basketball family. I was connected to Hooplandia through my college coach, Coach Colin Tabb of Western New England University. He is a big name in the local basketball community and really helped get the event up and running. My former roommate and teammate, Mike Resnick, was also an intern for the event, so he served as another connection to the tournament,” Geitner added.

“The thing I love most about Hooplandia’s mission and the tournament is how it brings anybody and everyone together. Growing up playing basketball, I’ve met so many different people with vastly different backgrounds. I feel like Hooplandia and its inclusivity are great at bringing every type of person together to celebrate the game of basketball. I also just love watching the sport, and that’s what the event is all about,” he concluded.

Looking to become a part of basketball’s present history? Join us where it all started, right here in Greater Springfield, June 20-22, 2025. Register your team or sign up to volunteer at Hooplandia.com.