MIAA Basketball Championships Proposal Submitted by the Western MA Sports Commission June 2016
Student Athlete Experience Road to the Birthplace right of passage Student Athletes, Coaches and Fans will have an unprecedented experience in Massachusetts State Basketball history. Friday, March 17, 2017: Each team will practice in the venue where they will play their championship game (either Springfield College or the MassMutual Center). Teams are invited to a celebratory banquet on Center Court of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Overnight accommodations in one of Springfield s hotel properties with breakfast on Saturday morning. Springfield Marriott, LaQuinta & Hampton Inn West Springfield. Saturday, March 18, 2017: 12:00pm 2:15pm 4:30pm 6:45pm Opportunity to extend the excitement with hotel packages for families to experience all that Western MA has to offer.
Championship Venues Venues: To enhance student athlete experience two venues will be utilized for games and practice. The MassMutual Center located in downtown Springfield and Blake Arena at Springfield College. Each venue will open on Friday for team practice on the court they will play on the following day. Volunteers from Springfield College and the Western MA Sports Commission will be on hand to welcome teams and facilitate practice area and times. MassMutual Center The MassMutual Center is a multi-purpose arena and convention center located in downtown Springfield, Massachusetts. Home to the Springfield Falcons of the American Hockey League, the MassMutual Center consists of an 8,000 seat arena and 100,000 sq ft convention center. Owned by the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority and managed by Global Spectrum, the MassMutual Center has become the premier entertainment venue in the Pioneer Valley. With a footprint of 100,000 sq.ft., the Center offers plenty of options to host spectacular events James Naismith Court, Springfield College The basketball court within Blake Arena has been formally named James Naismith Court, in honor of James Naismith, Class of 1891, who invented the game of basketball while teaching at the College in 1891. The newly named and refurbished court includes James Naismith s name proudly displayed. The maple wood flooring, which was also installed in Dana Gymnasium, allows for a variety of athletic contests, classes, lectures, and shows.
Hospitality & Marketing Press Releases and Media Assistance: The LOC will work in conjunction with MIAA staff to notify the local community of the Championships (date, times and locations) through press releases and media alerts. The LOC would also like to coordinate the announcement of the games returning to Springfield in 2017 by hosting a press conference. Logo: The Local Organizing Committee has designed a Springfield specific MIAA logo to be used on promotional materials and give-away items in conjunction with the official MIAA logo. The logo will be updated to reflect the 2017 Championships. www.theroadtospringfield.com will be updated starting January 2017. Visitor Information: Information on housing, meal options and packages for families will be given to the MIAA in August 2016 to be distributed to school administrations. As the event date draws near, the LOC will send teams specific booking information and materials to be included in the coaches packets. Promotional Items: The LOC will provide coaches gifts and t-shirts for each team member. State Champion Plaques: The Hall of Fame has committed to hang two plaques (one for the boys and one for the girls) listing the state champions for each year the final games are played in Springfield. Plaques will be presented at the 2017 banquet. Banquet Program : The LOC will create and event keepsake handed out at the banquet and each game venue.
Banquet A team banquet will be held on Friday night on Center Court at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Each team will receive 20 tickets to the event which will include dinner and a key note speaker. LOC will create a timeline of the evening s events in conjunction with MIAA staff which will include time for the event presenting sponsor to speak and a keynote speaker. Road to Springfield t-shirts (provided by the LOC) will be distributed at the event.
Partnerships The Western MA Sports Commission and the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame look forward to partnering with the MIAA and others to bring the boys and girls state basketball championships to Springfield. Members of the local organizing committee will be speaking with companies throughout the state about ways we can work together to highlight their companies while Springfield welcomes 10,000 fans for this prestigious event. The LOC is asking the MIAA for $1.00 of each ticket sale to be given to the LOC for the promotion and execution of the Springfield event. The LOC will talk with the MIAA about any potential event sponsor before committing them to the event.