Norwich Gus Macker postpones 25th Annual tournament until July 2021
Hundreds of players and thousands of fans take the streets during the annual Gus Macker 3-on-3 Basketball tournament every year in July in Norwich. With the current COVID-19 pandemic canceling or postponing summer events, Norwich tournament directors Jamey Mullen and Tom Revoir made the difficult decision and added the 25th Annual Gus Macker to the list. (Frank Speziale Photo)
NORWICH – For 24 consecutive years, the Norwich Gus Macker 3-on-3 basketball tournament has welcomed-in summer and summer vacation for the area youth and families. The festival-like basketball tournament brings all kinds of people together in the spirit of charity and tourism in downtown Norwich.
During the first year the three-day basketball competition took over East Main Street, the event staff, players and fans were faced with the challenge of Hurricane Bertha. A storm that dumped plenty of rain up and down the east coast put a long pause on the games held in 1996. However, the tournament picked back up once the rain stopped and games were played long into the night.
In the 24 years that the Gus Macker has been a part of a Norwich summer, tournament directors Jamey Mullen and Tom Revoir have dealt with many elements that have paused play like thunderstorms and trains but not once has it ever been postponed or canceled.
After a long and difficult decision process, Mullen and Revoir announced the postponement of the 25th Annual Gus Macker tournament for this summer Friday night in a video posted to the Norwich Family YMCA's Facebook page.
“Unfortunately with the COVID-19 pandemic, New York State on PAUSE, the safety of the players and volunteers and the respect of our sponsors, Tom and I have made the hard decision to postpone and move the Norwich Gus Macker Basketball tournament from July 2020 to July 10 and 11 of 2021” said Mullen.
Mullen continued to say that another challenged that weighed heavy on the decision was the ability to obtain a mass gathering permit from New York State – a special permit needed for an event that will attract more than 5,000 people among other specifications.
As there are hundreds of players, hundreds of volunteers and thousands more fans on the sidelines to watch the games, the local committee needs to apply for the special license every year like many other events held. With New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo stating in an executive order, gatherings of 50 or more people are not allowed, making it hard to obtain the permit from the state.
“It was very, very difficult decision to make this year,” said Revoir. “Everyone knows that this tournament is very near and dear to our hearts.”
With the tournament bringing in many from traveling from different cities of New York as well as other states and some players from Canada, the postponement will have an large economic affect on the local area.
Small businesses, such as stores and restaurants, often see a lot of foot tracking through their doors starting sometimes the weekend before. Local hotels expect to be at full capacity during the second weekend in July.
“The summer events to our area being canceled or postponed is a travesty,” said Commerce Chenango's Audrey Robinson. “We largely promote many of the events that take place from May to September, like Gus Macker, but we have been unable to because we are just unsure of when the small businesses currently closed are going to be able to open up.
“Yes, many of the businesses will see hit but the events themselves are more likely to see the larger impact.”
Mullen and Robinson both stated that with many of the local sponsors not being open due to the pandemic, their revenue streams are compromised or limited, making many unable to support. With minimal sponsorship, hosting the tournament becomes very difficult as funds are allocated to different aspects of the operation and leads to the success of the event year after year.
Both Revoir and Mullen, however, have a positive outlook as far as the tournament returning to Norwich for 2021.
“Mark your calendars for the second weekend of July 2021,” said Mullen. “We plan to gather again on East Main Street in downtown Norwich to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of Gus Macker Basketball. “We hope you are healthy and safe because before you know it, we will soon be back together again, hoopin' on the Streets.”
“Hopefully this will give our volunteers and players the year to rest and be ready to go for next year in 2021,” said Revoir.
In the coming weeks, Norwich Family YMCA Facebook page is the hoping to celebrate the Gus Macker tournament, with highlights and memories for the players.
During the first year the three-day basketball competition took over East Main Street, the event staff, players and fans were faced with the challenge of Hurricane Bertha. A storm that dumped plenty of rain up and down the east coast put a long pause on the games held in 1996. However, the tournament picked back up once the rain stopped and games were played long into the night.
In the 24 years that the Gus Macker has been a part of a Norwich summer, tournament directors Jamey Mullen and Tom Revoir have dealt with many elements that have paused play like thunderstorms and trains but not once has it ever been postponed or canceled.
After a long and difficult decision process, Mullen and Revoir announced the postponement of the 25th Annual Gus Macker tournament for this summer Friday night in a video posted to the Norwich Family YMCA's Facebook page.
“Unfortunately with the COVID-19 pandemic, New York State on PAUSE, the safety of the players and volunteers and the respect of our sponsors, Tom and I have made the hard decision to postpone and move the Norwich Gus Macker Basketball tournament from July 2020 to July 10 and 11 of 2021” said Mullen.
Mullen continued to say that another challenged that weighed heavy on the decision was the ability to obtain a mass gathering permit from New York State – a special permit needed for an event that will attract more than 5,000 people among other specifications.
As there are hundreds of players, hundreds of volunteers and thousands more fans on the sidelines to watch the games, the local committee needs to apply for the special license every year like many other events held. With New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo stating in an executive order, gatherings of 50 or more people are not allowed, making it hard to obtain the permit from the state.
“It was very, very difficult decision to make this year,” said Revoir. “Everyone knows that this tournament is very near and dear to our hearts.”
With the tournament bringing in many from traveling from different cities of New York as well as other states and some players from Canada, the postponement will have an large economic affect on the local area.
Small businesses, such as stores and restaurants, often see a lot of foot tracking through their doors starting sometimes the weekend before. Local hotels expect to be at full capacity during the second weekend in July.
“The summer events to our area being canceled or postponed is a travesty,” said Commerce Chenango's Audrey Robinson. “We largely promote many of the events that take place from May to September, like Gus Macker, but we have been unable to because we are just unsure of when the small businesses currently closed are going to be able to open up.
“Yes, many of the businesses will see hit but the events themselves are more likely to see the larger impact.”
Mullen and Robinson both stated that with many of the local sponsors not being open due to the pandemic, their revenue streams are compromised or limited, making many unable to support. With minimal sponsorship, hosting the tournament becomes very difficult as funds are allocated to different aspects of the operation and leads to the success of the event year after year.
Both Revoir and Mullen, however, have a positive outlook as far as the tournament returning to Norwich for 2021.
“Mark your calendars for the second weekend of July 2021,” said Mullen. “We plan to gather again on East Main Street in downtown Norwich to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of Gus Macker Basketball. “We hope you are healthy and safe because before you know it, we will soon be back together again, hoopin' on the Streets.”
“Hopefully this will give our volunteers and players the year to rest and be ready to go for next year in 2021,” said Revoir.
In the coming weeks, Norwich Family YMCA Facebook page is the hoping to celebrate the Gus Macker tournament, with highlights and memories for the players.
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