Few people know that Western Mass is the birthplace of basketball. It all began in 1891 when James Naismith, a local YMCA instructor, nailed a peach fruit basket to a wall and started throwing balls into the makeshift hoop. At the time, he had no idea he was igniting a global sports phenomenon.
While basketball is embedded in Western Mass’s DNA, the region has so much more to offer in sports and entertainment.
Sporting Events
The year kicks off with the excitement of both the Hoophall Classic (January 11-15) and the Jr. Hoophall Classic as the next generation of athletes display their talents on the court. The 2024 Hoophall Classic will showcase 15 of the top 20, and 9 of the top 10 senior boys (Class of 2024) high school players in the country. In total the event will have 44 of the top 100 players of the 2024 class including –
The #1 player in the country Cooper Flagg of Montverde
The #1 player of the 2025 class Cameron Boozer of Christopher Columbus Highschool
The Boston Redsox will host their annual Winter Weekend (January 19-20), a festive blend of ballpark tours, fan events, and a chance encounter with a baseball legend.
It’s a leap year, and what better way to spend February than on the sidelines at Volleyball Hall of Fame’s Morgan Classic (February 2 – 3).
Sport Exhibits
The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame has established The Ice Cube Impact Award for a unique blend of basketball and music. Dive into the rapper and actor’s profound impact on both worlds, from his lyrical references to the game to his revitalization of inner-city courts. In celebration, the Hall of Fame will unveil a new exhibit to the cultural icon on January 15th. Additionally, the Hall of Fame will unveil a new larger exhibit The Vault, in celebration of The Celtics this May.
Other spectator sports to enjoy while in Western Mass include:
The Springfield Thunderbirds, part of the American Hockey League
Valley Blue Sox, the region’s favorite volleyball team
UMass Amherst and Amherst College offer the excitement of Division I sports and crowds of cheering co-eds.
After the Game
Once the game is over, catch a live performance at Symphony Hall, scour the works of art at Mass MoCA or explore the iconic Springfield Armory National Historic Site, part of the National Park Service.
From the birthplace of basketball to the excitement of collegiate sports, Western Mass has plenty to offer the enthusiast.
