August 20, 2017
For Immediate Release
HoopStars moves to Sports Factory
Premiere venue offers quicker pace for tourney and room to grow
ROCKFORD – State Senator Steve Stadelman is again expanding his popular Labor Day basketball tournament, this time by moving to UW Health Sports Factory where boys and girls can compete in air-conditioned comfort and practice on warm-up courts.
Shorter waits between games also are expected when the 3-on-3 tournament crosses over from Davis Park, its home for three of the last four years. The event has drawn as many as 400 players in 3rd through 8th grades.
There is no cost to enter. Registration is open until Sept. 1 at www.senatorstadelman.com/hoopstars.
"Part of me will miss the street-tournament feel of being outdoors, but the benefits of a brand new, marquee facility right across the Rock River are undeniable," Stadelman said during a news conference today at the Sports Factory. "Without the continued support of the Rockford Park District and faithful financial contributors like ComEd and Comcast, this positive, end-of-summer activity for kids simply wouldn't be possible."
Stadelman said the event, which started in 2013 at Patriots Gateway, had outgrown the 10 makeshift courts at Davis Park. With 16 courts now available, total play time in the single-elimination, two-game-minimum tournament should drop to four or five hours from six or more. Parents will find parking much easier, among other advantages of the new location.
All players receive free commemorative event T-shirts, and winning teams take home medals. Event sponsors operate interactive courtside information booths with giveaways, and refreshments are available for purchase.
Games begin at 1 p.m. with doors opening at noon following the Labor Day parade.
Mark Bonne
Chief of Staff, Illinois Senator Steve Stadelman
Zeke Giorgi Center, 200 S. Wyman St., Suite 301, Rockford, IL 61101