The Legend of Gus
BURTON — The Original Gus Macker 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament was started in 1974 by Scott McNeal, A.K.A Gus Macker, on his parents’ driveway basketball court in Lowell, Mich. It began with 18 friends competing against one another and the cost was $18 per person.
This year, as the tournament makes its first-ever stop in Burton, a location has finally been secured as the Showcase Cinema East parking lot. The location will be the home front for the 18-court event that will take place May 24 and 25.
“I think the Gus Macker tournament will be great for the city,” said Burton city council member Steve Heffner. “Our big thing now is getting volunteers. We need a first aid tent and we’d love to have some local doctors and nurses on hand. We also need vendors and would like to encourage one of them to run a raffle.”
One occurrence surrounding the upcoming event is a road show on March 6 and 7 that will take place at locations that include West Bendle Elementary, Barhitte Elementary, the Bendle Teen Club and the lock-in at Kearsley High School this Friday.
“What they do at the elementary schools is a mock 3-on-3 game along with the tournament mascot. It’s a sportsmanship assembly that also introduces kids to the 3-on-3 format,” said event coordinator Peggy Green.
Officials also are being sought for the event and anyone interested in volunteering in any capacity can call the Parks and Recreation Dept. at 810-743-1500, Ext. 224, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. To register a team or for any other details, log on to www.macker.com. — M.S.

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