ROCKFORD, Ill (WREX) — Young basketball enthusiasts in fifth through eighth grade participated today in the annual State Senator Stadelman’s HoopStars 3-on-3 Labor Day tournament. This free event welcomed both boys and girls to compete, continuing a tradition that has become a staple of the holiday.
Since its inception in 2013, HoopStars has attracted hundreds of players and even more spectators, creating a lively atmosphere for the community. Initially held at Patriots Gateway, the tournament later moved to Davis Park before finding its current home at the UW Sports Factory in 2017. After a two-year pause due to the pandemic, the event made a comeback in 2022.
Games kicked off at noon, with all participants receiving commemorative T-shirts and winners awarded medals. Stadelman reflected on the event’s inception, noting its origins as a replacement for the discontinued On The Waterfront Festival in Rockford.
“It’s hard to believe it’s 11 years we’ve been hosting this tournament on Labor Day,” Stadelman said. “I played basketball, I’ve coached basketball, and so I figured, you know what, let’s have kids run up and down the court, versus on their smartphones or on their computers and doing something active on Labor Day.”
Discussing the tournament’s growth, Stadelman noted that participation has remained steady, which he considers beneficial. “I love looking out on the court and seeing kids from all different communities, all different backgrounds,” he said. “It doesn’t matter where you’re from, what part of town you’re from, you’re here to play basketball and hoop it up, and kids really seem to have a good time.”
As the championship games heated up, the competitive spirit was evident. “It gets pretty intense,” Stadelman said. “I’m just glad they’re doing something fun and active and running around, versus just sitting at home on a holiday and doing nothing and just being on the smartphones.”