West Springfield's Thomas Mwanansao and Ricky Alicena watch the action at the Massachusetts State Police’s Unity Basketball League. The youth league is run by troopers with the goal of encouraging communication between young people and police officers in a competitive setting, kicked off its season Thursday, October 6, 2022 at the Chicopee Boys & Girls Club. Youth teams from Holyoke, Westfield, West Springfield, Chicopee (two teams) and Springfield (three teams) played. (Dave Roback photo)

From the basketball court to the dinner table, it’s about more than just the game for the Massachusetts State Police Unity Basketball program.

“The whole point of this is to build relationships,” said trooper Thomas Sullivan, the main organizer of the league, which kicked off with a Thursday game at the Boys and Girls Club of Chicopee. “The partnerships will hopefully lead to bigger and better things.”

The first night brought together seventh- and eighth-graders from Holyoke and Westfield, who took to the hardwood for friendly competition before sitting down to eat dinner and chat with police officers, sheriff’s deputies, college students majoring in sports management and criminal justice and even the mayor.

Masschusetts State Police Captain Doug Heppleston and Jaiden Romero are seen during a group photo at the Massachusetts State Police’s Unity Basketball League. The youth league is run by troopers with the goal of encouraging communication between young people and police officers in a competitive setting, kicked off its season Thursday, October 6, 2022 at the Chicopee Boys & Girls Club. Youth teams from Holyoke, Westfield, West Springfield, Chicopee (two teams) and Springfield (three teams) played. (Dave Roback photo)

After playing in eastern Massachusetts for several years, the league expanded west last year, but the COVID-19 pandemic limited it to the Chicopee Boys & Girls Club. There, a half-dozen teams from the club competed against each other, said Jason Reed, the club director.

This year the program has expanded. Clubs from Holyoke, Westfield and West Springfield are each fielding a team, and the Chicopee and Springfield Boys and Girls Clubs are each fielding two more. Springfield’s Duggan Middle School is also fielding a team.

Most of the players are boys, but girls are welcome, and a handful are playing on different teams, directors said.

State Police, members of the Hampden Sheriff’s Department and police officers from the five participating cities volunteer as coaches, scoreboard operators and referees. Some are also just enjoying the games and hope to become mentors to the young people.

They won’t be alone. Hampden District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni is a strong supporter of the program, and sports management students from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst and criminal justice majors from Elms College are also volunteers.

Members of the Holyoke Boys Club warm-up before the start of The Massachusetts State Police’s Unity Basketball League. The youth league is run by troopers with the goal of encouraging communication between young people and police officers in a competitive setting, kicked off its season Thursday, October 6, 2022 at the Chicopee Boys & Girls Club. Youth teams from Holyoke, Westfield, West Springfield, Chicopee (two teams) and Springfield (three teams) played. (Dave Roback photo)

Sullivan, who heads up the State Police’s Cold Case division, told the players he majored in sports management in college and ended up in law enforcement. He encouraged middle schoolers to talk to the college students to learn more about future opportunities.

“This is about building teamwork, teamwork and relationships. It is also about self-improvement,” Chicopee Police Chief Patrick Major said in welcoming players to the first game.

He and Sullivan reminded students about the importance of teamwork, following the rules and showing good sportsmanship. Sullivan told the audience if they had a problem they should talk to him, encouraging the audience to let the players play, the coaches coach and the referees ref. And, then, there was the reminder: just have some fun.

Members of the Chicopee Boys Club, Jacob Cedeno, Jabri Flowers, Jysean Chea and Devynn Charles watch from the sidelines at The Massachusetts State Police’s Unity Basketball League. The youth league is run by troopers with the goal of encouraging communication between young people and police officers in a competitive setting, kicked off its season Thursday, October 6, 2022 at the Chicopee Boys & Girls Club. Youth teams from Holyoke, Westfield, West Springfield, Chicopee (two teams) and Springfield (three teams) played. (Dave Roback photo)

“I like it. I think it will help develop my skills,” said Jace Wayte, a seventh-grader who is competing on the Chicopee team. “Playing new teams and different teams is good.”

Members of the Boys and Girls Club of Holyoke play basketball all the time both inside and outdoors when the weather permits, but club president Eileen Cavanaugh said this is a new opportunity.

For one thing, it gives her members a chance to travel to other clubs and meet players from other communities. That hasn’t been possible for the past two years because of the pandemic, she said.

“For the kids to have an exposure to law enforcement and get to know the college students is so important,” Cavanaugh said.

It also keeps kids busy and prevents them from engaging in risky behavior that they could be exposed to if they don’t have a positive outlet, she added.

There will be four first-division games in the league. At the first game, Holyoke students won, but not before Westfield students demonstrated some good passing skills on the court.

Massachusetts State Police Unity Basketball League starts play at the Chicopee Boys and Girls Club

Mayor John L. Vieau shared that he was a “club kid” himself growing up. As he got older he also worked as a coach and counselor at the Boys and Girls Club while in high school and college.

“Basketball is one of my favorite sports,” Vieau said. “I hope you enjoy it.”

Giving a shout-out to Chicopee’s police along with the state police for starting the program, Vieau told the young players, “The police departments are here to help you. They are your friends. Don’t be afraid to call them.”

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