ROCKFORD – Young basketball enthusiasts can jump-start their Labor Day weekend by competing in a free 3-on-3 tournament organized by State Senator Steve Stadelman.

Stadelman, a longtime youth basketball coach and avid recreational player, intends for Senator Stadelman's HoopStars to expand into an annual community event. The one-day tournament is open to students in third through eighth grades with no entry fee for players.

ComEd is the event's primary financial sponsor; Comcast is a supporting sponsor. All proceeds, including a $1 spectator admission, benefit Patriots' Gateway, a community center serving Rockford's impoverished near southeast side.

"Our goal is to provide a positive, no-cost activity for our youth, particularly those from low-income families and inner-city neighborhoods," Stadelman said. "We also hope to raise funds to help Patriots' Gateway continue to be an important presence in the lives of so many underprivileged children and adults."

All players will receive free commemorative T-shirts; trophies or medals also will be awarded. Teams of four can register at Patriots' or at Stadelman's legislative office in the Zeke Giorgi Center, 200 S. Wyman St., Suite 301, Rockford. Sign-up forms are also available by clicking here (to download, right-click and select "Save Target As...").

Hot dogs, popcorn, walking tacos and other concessions will be for sale. Spectators can learn about power and energy at an interactive ComEd display, and Comcast will provide information on how to obtain low-cost, high-speed Internet. Stadelman hopes the tournament helps fill the void left by the loss of On the Waterfront, Rockford's long-running Labor Day food and music festival.

"Senator Stadelman's HoopStars is about the love of the game and kids having a ball," he said. "My wish is to see the event grow into the youth equivalent of Gus Macker, bringing the excitement of the sport back to the streets."

Sign-up form: flyer6.pdf
Parental consent form: HOOPSTARS_CONSENT_FORM.pdf