All Star Labor Classic is April 16

Annual event showcases the region’s best young male and female high school basketball players

Philadelphia Building & Construction Trades/for PhillyVoice

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The Philadelphia Building and Construction Trades Council, led by Business Manager Ryan N. Boyer, is hosting the 36th annual Philadelphia All Star Labor Classic basketball game on Sunday, April 16, 2023 at Holy Family University in Northeast Philadelphia (9801 Frankford Avenue).

This annual showcase of the region’s best young male and female high school basketball players is the Building Trades’ single largest annual charity event, raising money for college scholarships for all participating players and providing major financial assistance to local charities. The 2023 non-profit beneficiary is the Greater Delaware Valley Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Courtesy/IBEW Local 98L to R: IBEW Local 98 Business Manager Mark Lynch, Jr., Philadelphia Building Trades Business Manager Ryan N. Boyer, Local 98 Asst. Business Manager Zach Gniewoz and his son, Jayson, at the 2022 event.

The All Star Labor Classic pits the City Boys vs. Suburban Boys and the City Girls vs. Suburban Girls against one another. In addition to the honor of being selected to the All Star squads, every participating player receives a $500 college scholarship. Prior to the two main events, event attendees enjoy the Labor All Stars vs. Media All Stars in a battle of mostly middle-aged men.

The day’s schedule of events is as follows:

• 11 a.m. | Doors open. Free admission!

• 12 p.m. | Labor vs. Media All Stars

• 1:15 p.m. | Girls City vs. Girls Suburban

• 2:45 p.m. | Boys City vs. Boys Suburban

Although all of the member local unions that comprise the Philadelphia Building and Construction Trades Council support an array of regional charitable causes throughout the year, the Trades’ single biggest and most unified annual fundraising effort is the Philadelphia All Star Labor Classic. The event is truly a labor of love for the members of the Building Trades. All monies raised through event sponsorships go to the graduating high school senior basketball all stars and our non-profit partner.

For several reasons - a down national economy, the upcoming Primary Election, other competing interests - the Philadelphia Building Trades is significantly short of its fundraising target for the 2023 All Star Labor Classic, with a little over a month left until the event.

We are actively seeking event sponsors. There are a host of benefits for corporate and individual sponsorships:

 Name and logo on player uniforms, warm-up gear, rally towels, sports bags and more.
Inclusion in the event program.
• Acknowledgements during the live, in-game broadcast over the JAKIB Media Radio Network.
• Name and logo included on all event signage.
• Name and logo on all press materials.

To take advantage of the many exciting sponsorship opportunities, e-mail Event Coordinator Allison Kostiuk at laborclassic@gmail.com.

IBEW Local 98 and all of our union Brothers and Sisters in the Philadelphia Building Trades are immensely proud of the All-Star Labor Classic. It’s truly a labor of love for us every year. We hope to welcome a big crowd to Holy Family University on Sunday, April 16th to watch the best high school basketball stars in the area shine brightly.