Gus Macker takes over downtown Norwich for Year 12
NORWICH – The scenery of East Main Street has been transformed once again as volunteers dedicated their time to set up for the 12th annual Gus Macker tournament being held from Friday to Sunday.
More than 30 baskets, each on their own courts, began to line the street early this morning and already the excitement of the weekend has brought out players young and old to enjoy a day on the courts.
Roughly 427 teams, consisting of over 1,700 players, have signed up to play in the weekend-long event. The tournament, since 1995, was born from an idea to get the City of Norwich back on the map, said YMCA director Jamey Mullen. He said he was approached by city officials and asked if he could think of a way to get people coming in.
Norwich was the second area in the state of New York to host the event. Since 1995 the tournament has brought thousands of people to downtown Norwich. On average, as many as 10,000 people line the streets Gus Macker weekend, YMCA sports Director Tom Revoir said.
To put together such an event, planning starts a full year ahead of time. Mullen and Revoir said the main goal for the first eight years was coming up with something new to introduce to the public. Now they say the event has ultimately not changed year to year. Playing basketball, socializing, enjoying the park festivities and food while having fun is what brings so many people coming back every year, said Revoir and Mullen.
Getting volunteers to help out with various aspects of the tournament can be challenging year to year. “There are some dedicated volunteers that make this event possible and we are always looking for more,” said Revoir.
Calvary Baptist Church and Valley Heights Christian Academy have volunteered to aid ongoing efforts this year and will be on hand to deliver drinks to tournament staff members as well as help dismantle baskets following the tournament. Calvary Baptist and Valley Heights also sponsored a hoop clinic from 8 a.m. to noon today by player and coach Jamie Miller at the YMCA.
Macker has transformed into a summer tradition, Mullen said. “People plan their vacations, family trips and family and school reunions around Macker,” said Mullen. He also said the some of the same faces can be seen year to year having traveled from as far away as Las Vegas to enjoy the weekend.
Mullen and Revoir agree the benefits from the tournament are not only felt by YMCA staff members, but by the community as a whole. “Many of the merchants either sponsor or play in the tournament, business may see a rise in sales and it is an event that is strictly family and community orientated,” said Mullen.
Starting at 4 p.m., registration begins in the fire station on East Main Street this year instead of the YMCA. It is advised to players to register tonight rather than wait in line Saturday and take the chance of missing a game.
The city band will perform tonight in the park, and some games on the Media court will take place. The Caputo Brothers have once again sponsored the Women’s three point shoot-out, which is free to registered women players and will be held at 6:30 p.m. today, registration is from noon to 5 p.m.
More than 30 baskets, each on their own courts, began to line the street early this morning and already the excitement of the weekend has brought out players young and old to enjoy a day on the courts.
Roughly 427 teams, consisting of over 1,700 players, have signed up to play in the weekend-long event. The tournament, since 1995, was born from an idea to get the City of Norwich back on the map, said YMCA director Jamey Mullen. He said he was approached by city officials and asked if he could think of a way to get people coming in.
Norwich was the second area in the state of New York to host the event. Since 1995 the tournament has brought thousands of people to downtown Norwich. On average, as many as 10,000 people line the streets Gus Macker weekend, YMCA sports Director Tom Revoir said.
To put together such an event, planning starts a full year ahead of time. Mullen and Revoir said the main goal for the first eight years was coming up with something new to introduce to the public. Now they say the event has ultimately not changed year to year. Playing basketball, socializing, enjoying the park festivities and food while having fun is what brings so many people coming back every year, said Revoir and Mullen.
Getting volunteers to help out with various aspects of the tournament can be challenging year to year. “There are some dedicated volunteers that make this event possible and we are always looking for more,” said Revoir.
Calvary Baptist Church and Valley Heights Christian Academy have volunteered to aid ongoing efforts this year and will be on hand to deliver drinks to tournament staff members as well as help dismantle baskets following the tournament. Calvary Baptist and Valley Heights also sponsored a hoop clinic from 8 a.m. to noon today by player and coach Jamie Miller at the YMCA.
Macker has transformed into a summer tradition, Mullen said. “People plan their vacations, family trips and family and school reunions around Macker,” said Mullen. He also said the some of the same faces can be seen year to year having traveled from as far away as Las Vegas to enjoy the weekend.
Mullen and Revoir agree the benefits from the tournament are not only felt by YMCA staff members, but by the community as a whole. “Many of the merchants either sponsor or play in the tournament, business may see a rise in sales and it is an event that is strictly family and community orientated,” said Mullen.
Starting at 4 p.m., registration begins in the fire station on East Main Street this year instead of the YMCA. It is advised to players to register tonight rather than wait in line Saturday and take the chance of missing a game.
The city band will perform tonight in the park, and some games on the Media court will take place. The Caputo Brothers have once again sponsored the Women’s three point shoot-out, which is free to registered women players and will be held at 6:30 p.m. today, registration is from noon to 5 p.m.
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