CHICOPEE, Mass. – Earlier this week, Connecticut unveiled several new welcome signs on its interstate highways.

One of which called the state the "Home of the Basketball Capital of the World."

We spoke with Chicopee's Rumbleseat Bar & Grille Owner Bill Stetson about what he thought of the new look.

"I thought it was kind of funny," said Stetson. "First of all, we love Northern Connecticut. We get a lot of business from Northern Connecticut. But when it comes to basketball, Western Massachusetts is the founding face of basketball."

The Chicopee sports bar has been around for more than 20 years.

The restaurant itself is also a short commute from the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, something Stetson said has not only helped business but also represents a lot of basketball spirit for Western Massachusetts.

"When they have induction ceremonies, we get a lot of overflow crowd," he said. "And that reminds me that Connecticut has been a factor in basketball for about 25 years, but here in Western Mass, we've been at it for about 125 years. So I'm glad to be a little part of that." 

One of the other new welcome signs unveiled by Connecticut called the state the "Home of the Pizza Capital of the World."

Stetson said not only does Chicopee itself have several pizza restaurants, but in terms of quality, the Commonwealth stands as the best in the business.

"We've got about 20 pizza places alone here in Chicopee, if not more," he said. "People love their pizza in Chicopee and Western Mass, and they're not driving down to New Haven for pizza every day. They do make good pies in New Haven, but I'll take my Western Mass pizza any day of the week." 

Stetson said basketball fans both local and Connecticut-based can come to the bar to watch basketball games seven days a week, including when UMass or UConn are playing.