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The mack is back
GAYLORD – Gus Macker Basketball is returning to Gaylord,
June 24, 25, 2023
Gus Macker Tournaments are designed for basketball players
who love the fun of the driveway game – male or female, from age 7 to 70-plus,
short and tall, the most experienced or those with little or no experience who
just want to play.
The tournament is returning to Gaylord for a second year following
15 year hiatus under the direction of James Vanderveer, director of the Otsego
County Sportsplex. Vanderveer is a long time registered basketball referee and
has officiated state tournament and college games. The tournament again will be
held in the parking lot of the Sportsplex. Vanderveer commented, "I am
excited to have Gus Macker return for our second year to Gaylord. A tournament
like this brings a lot of excitement to the community and to the sport of
basketball.”
In 2022, the return of the Gus Macker tournament to Gaylord
saw 123 teams participate. The charity tournament saw over $3,000 raised for
local sports organizations. Vanderveer said, “We were very happy with the
results last year, but we hope to double the amount of teams this year. There
was a lot of excitement following the event last year and many families said
they planned to get a team together for 2023.”
Registration forms are available at the Otsego County
Sportsplex and online at www.Macker.com.
Next year, 2024, is the 50th year of Gus Macker Basketball.
For the first 13 years it was a single tournament started by a pair of brothers
and their friends in Lowell, Mich., in 1974 but became a festival phenomenon and
America’s Original 3-on-3 Basketball Tour in 1987.
Through the years there have been almost 1,500 sanctioned
Gus Macker Tournaments presented for over 700,000 teams or almost 2.7 million
players and played in front of almost 28 million spectators across the country.
Teams are computer-matched into male and female divisions in
one of three categories: Junior, Adult, or Top. The age, height and experience
of all four players on each team are considered in bracketing. Teams receive at
least three scheduled games each tournament. Gus Macker is a double-elimination
tournament, but with a consolation bracket historically called “The Toilet
Bowl” for teams that lose the first two games.
In addition to the economic impact of bringing thousands of
players and fans into the community, the charitable aspect of the Gus Macker
Tournament is very important. At each tournament site the local organizing
committee donates proceeds from their event to a local charity or charities.
Also, in many cities local non-profit clubs, groups and organizations raise
funds through on-site food concession sales, special events and other on-site
activities. The total amount donated to local charities by the local committees
has steadily increased over the past few years. Gus Macker estimates that since
1987 - approximately $16 million has been raised for worthwhile local
charities.
Gaylord first hosted the Gus Macker tournament in 1991. Then
Gaylord Chamber of Commerce director, Bill Wishart, was a basketball fan and
referee and connected with the McNeal brothers to bring this popular basketball
tournament to the Alpine Village. At the height of its popularity the Gaylord
Gus Macker tournament hosted as many as 5,000 players and an estimated
additional 20,000 fans. Gaylord hosted the Gus Macker tournament for 15 years
until 2006.
Family fun in a festival atmosphere is always the goal of a
Gus Macker Tournament, and we proudly serve as the most popular basketball
tournament for outdoor play in downtown streets, parking lots and community parks
across the country.
Learn more and register your team at macker.com. Online
Registration deadline is June 6.