From left: Sprinklerfitters Local 692’s Wayne Miller, retired Building Trades Business Manager Pat Gillespie and current Business Manager John J. Dougherty.
The Philadelphia Building & Construction Trades Council, led by Business Manager John J. Dougherty, announced plans for the 2021 All-Star Labor Classic, the Trades’ annual showcase of the Greater Philadelphia region’s best boys and girls high school basketball players. Event proceeds from corporate sponsorships will provide college scholarship awards for the chosen all-stars and also benefit the Delaware Valley Chapter or the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. The 2021 All-Star Labor Classic will take place Sunday, April 18, 2021 on the campus of Germantown Academy, 340 Morris Road, in Fort Washington. Due to the onset of the COVID-19 outbreak last spring, the 2020 All-Star Labor Classic had to be canceled.
“With the promise of several effective vaccines on the near horizon, we’re moving forward with cautious optimism on plans for a 2021 All-Star Labor Classic, but we’ll do so with all conceivable COVID safety protocols in place. Nothing is more important than the health and safety of our players, organizers and guests,” Dougherty said. “I’d also be remiss if I didn’t publicly thank my dear friend Wayne Miller, business manager of Sprinklerfitters Local 692, who for more than 30 years has been the heart and soul of the All-Star Labor Classic, serving as a player, coach and driving force behind this wonderful event.”
Organizers have made the following changes for 2021:
• The boys and girls all-star teams will play in two separate sessions (morning and afternoon) to ensure a maximum of only 30 players in the gym at any one time to avoid overcrowding.
• Everyone – players, coaches, event staff and guests – must wear a facemask and keep it on the entire time. The sole exception is for players while playing on the court.
• The exhibition game between labor and media all-stars will not take place in 2021 to reduce the number of people in the gym at any one time.
• The event will be closed to the general public to allow for social distancing. Only the parents of the all-stars will be permitted entry. Seating markers will be placed on the bleachers to ensure a minimum of 6 feet of separation between the parent spectators.
The selection process for this year’s male and female high school basketball all-stars is underway. The participants for the 2021 All-Star Labor Classic will be announced in January 2021.
There are sponsorship opportunities available. For more information, contact event manager Allison Kostiuk at 856-308-7082 or [email protected]. ••
