• News
• • June 22, 2026

Bulkley Richardson Honors Coach James Gee With Sportsmanship Award

Hooplandia 2026 tipped off this weekend at the Eastern States Exposition, with athletes from across the country traveling to the birthplace of basketball to compete. With more than 300 teams, Hooplandia has quickly become the second-largest 3×3 basketball tournament in the country. As a proud partner of this community event, Bulkley Richardson also sponsored eight youth teams, two of which made it to the finals and went on to play at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. As creators of the Hooplandia Sportsmanship Award, Mark Cress was on site to present James Gee with the award based on his dedication to youth basketball and impact on the Springfield community.  Coach Gee is the highly successful head coach of the girls’ varsity basketball team at Springfield Central High School.  He took over the Golden Eagles program in 2021 and has since led them to a state championship and multiple western Mass. finals.  Gee is also the President and CEO of the Springfield Ballers, a local nonprofit organization focused on youth mentorship and basketball.  Coach Gee’s impact extends far beyond the game of basketball.  Through mentorship, leadership and a commitment to developing young people, Coach Gee has become a meaningful figure in the community.