Unity Basketball Nights return to Northampton this spring

NORTHAMPTON — Unity Basketball Nights will grace the city across five Mondays this spring, as children in grades 5-8 are invited to gather with community responders for evenings filled with athletic fun and pizza.

A collaboration between the Northampton Police Department, Northampton Parks and Recreation, Children’s Advocacy Center of Hampshire County, the Northwestern District Attorney’s Office and Mass. State Police, Unity Basketball was started to encourage communication between young people and community responders in a fun and competitive setting.

The series begins Monday, March 16, and will take place every two weeks from 5:30-8:30 p.m. until its finale on May 11. All of the events will take place at JFK Middle School.

Parks & Recreation Assistant Director Shelby Michna told Reminder Publishing that the first Unity Basketball series in Northampton was held in November 2024 and saw a turnout of 50-60 children during each of the events. Michna said she wanted to bring the idea to Northampton after attending a similar event in Holyoke.

Coordinating the event became a layup after Michna connected with Police Detective Lauren Bolduc, who informed her she was already wanting to establish the same event in Northampton.

“I didn’t know [she was looking to do the same], so I was like, ‘well, I can help you get the kids, and you can do the other part, and it was a match made in heaven for us,” said Michna.

Bolduc said that they have brought in more partners to sponsor the Unity Basketball event this spring and plan to put on a bigger and better version of the community gathering.

“This year, we have worked on getting the funding to support the program so we could accommodate more kids, which is really awesome. The more kids that can participate and have a safe place to go is the goal,” said Bolduc.

During the series, an introduction session will kick off each Monday evening to welcome some new children and law enforcement that are volunteering. Then things turn to the first portion of the night, drill and skill sessions.

After that, there will be a break for a pizza dinner. While everyone enjoys the meal, guest speakers will visit to talk to the youth about their careers.

“One week, we have the head athletic director come to speak. Then, we have the UMASS sports kids coming to speak about different ways kids can do sports journalism or marketing, or become athletic trainers. Just talking to them about different ways that sports can turn into professions later if they’re interested,” said Bolduc.

Following dinner, participants are split into teams, and pick-up basketball games begin.

Michna said that the experience provides a unique boost to youth and overall community morale.

“I just see everybody leaves happy. Adults and kids. And that’s super positive in a world that’s filled with uncertainties, and so for us, I just think providing that space and those experiences, it’s fulfilling and heartwarming to be able to do that and provide that for our community,” said Michna. “I think community collaborations are awesome and great for the city. It’s great to see different departments working together toward the common goal. The Police Department and the Rec. Department, we’re both serving people but in very different capacities. I think this is awesome that we can do this with Lauren and the state partners.”

Bolduc said the event has had success because of the ability of sports to bring people together in an unforced way.

“You can just have fun, everyone comes together, they’re sharing activities, and they can express themselves in a way that just takes away all the pressure and stress that is in a typical setting for kids. Especially when everyone’s on the go, and there’s so many outside responsibilities now, it just gives everyone a break to decompress and have fun,” said Bolduc. “Especially from the Police Department, too, we want opportunities to connect with the kids in a way that’s not just a traumatic incident. We obviously respond to emergencies on a whole scale, from minor to larger issues, and we want to have rapport with kids in ways that are fun … we can also be a face that they see in the community and feel safe to just come say hi to.”

The event is free to the public, but those interested in participating are asked to register for Unity Basketball Nights online at www.northamptonma.gov/789/Parks-Recreation.