Youngstown makes Gus Macker basketball history

Photo

Neighbors | Submitted.Pictured is a game from the 2009 Gus Macker basketball tournament at the Covelli Centre. The 2010 event will be July 31 and Aug. 1.

During the weekend of July 31, Youngstown will stand out from every other Gus Macker 3-on-3 basketball tournament across the nation.

Youngstown Christian School, the tournament’s local organizer, is introducing the first-ever Heroes Division, a tribute to those who serve our community and country.

This is a first in the 36-year history of the Gus Macker tournament.

“Because the tournament is a community event, we want to show our appreciation for the local service men and women, firefighters and police officers who help keep us safe on a daily basis,” said local tournament organizer Mark Pecchia. “At the same time, we want them to take a break and have a little fun as we cheer on their friendly competition.”

The school’s idea to honor community heroes attracted the attention of Scott McNeal, the national tournament’s founder and the man behind the Gus Macker alias.

In 1974, McNeal started the tournament with 18 friends on his parents’ driveway in Lowell, Mich.

It has since grown to include more than 75 cities, 200,000 players and 1.7 million spectators across the nation each year.

“I love the idea. The heroes concept for communities is awesome,” said McNeal.

McNeal is sending the tournament’s coveted “Dream Court” to Youngstown specifically for the Heroes Division.

The court, which only makes it to two tournament sites a weekend, is decked out in red, white and blue and includes an introduction of the starting lineup and play-by-play announcing. For the Heroes Division, the “Dream Court” will be renamed the “Heroes Court.”

“I’ve always wanted to find the next niche for the Dream Court idea and this makes sense,” said McNeal.

Putting local heroes in the spotlight ties right in with the tournament’s Americana roots of backyard basketball. He also sees it as a key opportunity to rally the community, including an older demographic than Gus Macker’s majority of players who are 17 and younger.

Along with offering the community an opportunity to gather at a family-friendly summer event, the tournament is a fundraiser for Youngstown Christian School.

In the spirit of honoring local heroes, the school has also decided to donate a portion of its proceeds to a local military group.

The Heroes Division is limited to the first 24 teams registered.

Guidelines for the Heroes Division include that teams must be made up of players 18 and older from local military, police and fire departments. Teams can be made up of all men or women or both, but all will compete against each other. There are no separate men and women divisions.

Each team member must be employed by, enlisted with or retired from the group they represent.

Games will be played on the Gus Macker Heroes courts with officials.

The four-person team cost is $124 ($31 per player) and registration must be completed by calling a Youngstown Gus Macker representative at 330-406-1424 for a special Heroes Division application. There is no online registration for the Heroes Division.

Heroes Division registration forms must be received by July 9 at Youngstown Christian School, Attn: Dolph Carroll, 4401 Southern Blvd., Youngstown, OH 44512.

For those who do not qualify for the Heroes Division, the rest of the tournament is open to men and women of all ages and experience levels.

All other teams may register at www.macker.com by July 12 or call 330-406-1424 to request a mail-in application, which must be postmarked by July 9.

For information, visit www.macker.com or call 330-406-1424.