With Hall of Fame, it’s just business, right? Nothing personalDate: 8/8/2022 There is a lesson being taught right now in Springfield and it’s about unfulfilled expectations.
You’ve undoubtedly heard about the recent announcement the Basketball Hall of Fame has kicked out the Mayflower Marathon from its parking area. The annual food drive, organized by Rock 102, benefits Springfield’s Open Pantry and has been in the parking lot for two decades. The reason, stated by the Hall officials, deals with the recent the growth in Hall of Fame attendance and business to the building’s other tenants. The parking lot must be kept open for these businesses and can no longer accommodate the food drive.
Many people have been very critical about the Hall’s decision and the explanation for the action.
The Hall’s lot was perfect for people to drive to make their donation and move on. As of this writing, a new site has not yet been announced.
With food insecurity still very much a problem in the region, this event is critical to the Open Pantry, one of the emergency food programs operating in Springfield.
Now we are still going through difficult times caused by the coronavirus pandemic, supply chain issues, inflation and an anticipated recession. The services offered by many social service nonprofits is vital at this time.
One would think that one nonprofit organization would seek to assist another nonprofit organization. The Hall of Fame has been a nonprofit since 1959.
Consider the following. Last July, the Hall of Fame received $3,740,728 in funding from the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Shuttered Venues Operation Grant program. Also last July, the Hall received $127,200 from the Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism.
In February, Mayor Domenic Sarno announced the Hall would receive $49,235 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds.
The community at large has supported the Hall over the years with contributions to capital campaigns. For instance, Florence Bank presented $100,000 to the Hall for its recent completed renovation.
The trouble is, folks who have supported the Hall as well as elected officials who have allocated funds for the Hall have come to expect something in return. That’s the way the world works. And yes, over the years the Hall indeed has had activities and programs for the public, as it should. To be honest, though, those activities have decreased. There isn’t much of a relationship between the Hall and the city in which it is located.
Its agreement with Mohegan Sun in Connecticut, however, has stripped Springfield as the location for many of its activities surrounding its most prominent event: enshrinement. Just consider that the Class of 2022 Autograph Session is at Mohegan Sun; Enshrinement 2022 Press Conference Media Availability is at Mohegan Sun; and the Enshrinement Tip-Off Celebration and Awards Gala are all at Mohegan Sun.
That last event is impressive. According to the press release I received, “The Class of 2022, along with the Hall’s prestigious annual award winners, will be celebrated at this televised Enshrinement event at Mohegan Sun. This event will include the awarding of the Class of 2022 rings presented by Baron Championship Rings and the presentation of the Class of 2022 Hall of Fame jackets presented by Reveal Suits. The program will additionally highlight the presentation of the Hall’s annual John Bunn Lifetime Achievement Award, the Mannie Jackson: Basketball’s Human Spirit Award and the Curt Gowdy Media Awards.”
Wow, too bad that couldn’t happen where the game was actually created. The Enshrinement Ceremony VIP Reception, the Enshrinement Ceremony Red Carpet Show and the Enshrinement Ceremony are still in Springfield.
I think it is fair to view the Hall like any other corporate entity based on its recent action. It is going to do what it wants to do, regardless of public monies and private donations from the area to support it. There shouldn’t be any expectations for anything else, and that is a shame.
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