BASKETBALL
Macker bounces into Buffalo for 18th year
By Rodney McKissic
NEWS SPORTS REPORTER
Updated: 06/17/08 6:40 AM
Last year’s Buffalo Gus Macker three-on-three basketball tournament ended with a touch of controversy because officials handed out two top men’s titles — split championships if you will — that left the winners looking for an open court to settle the score.
Officials hope to avoid such drama this time around when the 18th annual event tips off at Niagara Square this weekend, but there aren’t any guarantees.
An estimated 40,000 to 50,000 spectators and participants, including 950 teams — a 100-team increase from 2007 — are expected to gather for the street version of the 10-foot experience. The two-day event begins with opening ceremonies at 8 a. m. Saturday and runs through Sunday evening.
With so many teams, and so little time, don’t rule out another split title.
“Last year wasn’t something that was too desirable, people wanted just one champion,” said Bill Gorman, a Buffalo Macker legend who last won an area’s top men’s title six years ago and now serves as one of the event managers. “Our preference would be to have one champion. We have to make sure there’s enough time allowable to get everybody in. I’m sure we can work out something.”
The increase in teams is because word has gotten around about Buffalo: It’s one of the best run and most organized of the Macker tournaments played throughout the country. Numerous teams also flock to the Ludington, Mich., tournament because the courts sit on the banks of Lake Michigan and the Macker has a 900-team limit. But Gorman said Ludington could have more teams if it followed Buffalo’s blueprint.
Buffalo has a deep bench of corporate sponsors, and has referees on each court where at other tournaments players have to make their own calls. Fans feel safe because of off-duty policemen patrolling the area. The Macker at times has as many as five tournaments played at different venues, but this is the only event in the country being held this weekend.
“Buffalo has the biggest tournament of the cites we have on tour and has become the bench mark of how the other tournaments should be run,” Gorman said. “The city of Buffalo and the organizers basically come to us and say, ‘Whatever you need, we’ll provide.’ People can enjoy it a lot more because it’s so organized. I tell people in different cities that if you run it like the people in Buffalo, you’re going to be successful.”
And the Buffalo Macker is looking to expand with the number of teams reaching over 1,000 for 2009.
“We could draw teams from Toronto, Rochester, Erie, and Cleveland,” Gorman said. “We’re very excited about Buffalo.”
This marks the fourth year the Buffalo Police Athletic League and the Kids Escaping Drugs program are running the event.
The tournament was started in 1974 by founder Scott McNeal in his parents’ driveway in Lowell, Mich. In 1987, due to the tremendous demand from communities outside of Lowell and Belding, Mich., the tournament hit the road.
Now an estimated 200,000 players and 1.7 million spectators participate each year. The Macker is also coming to Olean on Aug. 15-17.
To the average basketball fan, the tournament probably sounds about as enjoyable as watching grass grow. But therein lies the magic: It’s not for the mundane fan. It is for the basketball aficionado who plays in the driveway after work or after school, who goes to the gym twice a week and counts baskets by ones.
Only basketball junkies need apply.
