McCormack Student Leaders Club Hosts 6th Annual Tip-Off

The 2016 edition of this annual event was made possible through the efforts of over 50 undergraduate students. Not only did the students get experience in their fields of study, but over 250 high school athletes were able to play at the Cage, which was once known as one of the loudest buildings in the Northeast when it was home to the UMass Men’s Basketball Team.

Kaleigh Bishop-Kotarba, 2016 Executive Director of the PVTO, described the importance of this event for both the students involved and the participating athletes. “The PVTO is a wonderful opportunity for students to get involved on campus and gain experience in whatever major they are pursuing. We offer so many different ways for students to contribute, and when the Tip-Off finally arrives, it is so rewarding for them to see their hard work payoff. The athletes and coaches also find great value in being part of the PVTO, as it allows them to play their first game of the year at a historic venue where the entire community comes out to support them. It is a wonderful experience for high school athletes to get to compete on a college campus.”

The Pioneer Valley Tip-Off (PVTO) is a 100% student-run event managed by the McCormack Sport Management Student Leaders Club, founded in 2011 by current Isenberg Alumni Scott Moses and Pat Sellet. The Tip-Off has grown to invite teams from all over the New England area including Central and Western MA, New Hampshire and Vermont. With the addition of a prep school division, the showcase boasts a full weekend offering the highest level of high school basketball in the area.

The PVTO offers many different opportunities for not only students in the Mark H. McCormack Sport Management Department, but all students in the Isenberg School of Management. The Tip-Off has over 50 staff members in 6 different departments: Operations, Sponsorship, Marketing, Data Analytics, Community Outreach and Finance. Students gain first-hand experience in event management, cold calling, scouting, analyzing statistics, philanthropy, and much more.

One main goal of the Pioneer Valley Tip-Off and its participating schools is to help in the fight against cancer by partnering with the American Cancer Society through the Coaches vs. Cancer program. This year, through the support of friends and families within the community, the event raised a record $1,300 for Coaches vs. Cancer.

Jon Cahill, 2017 Executive Director of the PVTO, has already begun the planning process for next year’s event: “I am very pleased with how this year’s event went, and I believe Kaleigh did a spectacular job. We have already begun brainstorming ideas on how to improve the Tip-Off for next year. I plan on adding a Graphic Design department and focusing even more on Philanthropy. The event is getting to the point where it is being noticed and we want to keep that going by bringing in even more sponsors and making local communities aware of our event.”

Those wishing to participate in the 2017 PVTO as a staff member, sponsor or participating school should send an email to pioneervalleybball@gmail.com.