Springfield College and the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame presented the 10th annual Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Scholarship to Springfield College sport management students Isabella Samse and Jeffrey Madeia. The formal presentation was made during the 2023 Spalding Hoophall Classic at Blake Arena.
Both Samse and Madeia were key contributors during the 2023 Spalding Hoophall Classic, the leading high school basketball tournament in the country showcasing the nation’s top recruits. As part of their responsibilities, Samse and Madeia assisted with more than 75 student event staff workers and more than 30 student liaisons during the event. They were part of training sessions for volunteers of the event; collaborated with Springfield College Office of Conferences and Special Events, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, and ESPN to coordinate schedules of events; and were part of all event operations during the five-day tournament.
Madeia is a native of Berlin, Conn., and currently posts a 3.85 grade point average. He has earned dean’s list status for academic excellence in each of his five semesters on the campus. A member of the Sport Management Club, Madeia served as a supervisor at the 2022 Hoophall Classic assisting with onsite logistics for participating teams.
In addition, Madeia is a member of the Springfield College Athletics event staff, and he also volunteered on game nights for the Hartford Athletic Soccer Club. In June of 2021, he volunteered at the Travelers Golf Championship, and he has assisted the Special Olympics at multiple events.
Samse is a native of Wethersfield, Conn., and currently has a 3.8 grade point average. She is a member of the Sport Management Club, and has been a part of the Hoophall Classic the following two years. In 2022, Samse led as a head supervisor overseeing student workers, and collaborating with the Springfield College Office of Special Events and the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
In addition, Samse is a member of the Springfield College Athletics event staff, and she has participated as a mentor for local youth through the Springfield College Partners Program. She is also a proud member of the Women in Business Club and Women of Power Club.
The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Scholarship is presented annually to both a male and female junior majoring in the School of Physical Education, Performance and Sport Leadership at Springfield College, who has maintained a successful grade point average and demonstrated a combination of service to Springfield College and the Hoophall Classic. The recipients are each awarded scholarship funds to be used during their senior year at Springfield College.
