Gus Macker Tournament

TRC's best showing ever in the Sponsors Tournament was a good omen for the rest of Macker Weekend, held June 6-8.

Sparked by that good fortune, the rest of the 12th annual Gus Macker 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament went fairly smoothly, as once again TRC staff teamed with dozens of community volunteers and business sponsors to make the event a success.

The Sponsors Tournament traditionally signals the start of Macker Weekend. TRC put together a competitive team composed of Don Christner, Director of Property Management and Transportation; Sam Lucariello, Driver Instructor; former TRC employees Reggie Smith and Jacob Thomas; and Bob Goold, a coordinator of Chautauqua County Special Olympics.

The "home team" made it to the championship game Friday, June 6, where it lost to the team of E.E. Austin & Son to finish in second place.

Dupree Hall shoots a free throw during an exhibition game featuring members of Chautauqua County's Special Olympics basketball team.

The main Gus Macker events got started at 8:00 the following morning with Opening Ceremonies. Then came 10 hours of exciting basketball action spread over more than 30 courts. Each court is in effect its own mini-tournament. Teams, assigned to courts based on players' age, height and experience, then battle to be the best on their individual court.

After play ended for the day on the Top Men's Court, members of Chautauqua County's Special Olympics basketball team put on an exhibition on the main court. In past years, the Special Olympians have made their appearance Sunday afternoon, once a court freed up. Wanting to give these special athletes the opportunity to display their skills in front of a larger audience, Tournament Director Victoria Trass Bardo Bardo this year decided to put the Special Olympians on the Top Men's court, just before the start of the popular Slam Dunk Contest.

As a result, the Special Olympians were able to play basketball with hundreds of people watching. The exhibition was made even more special because each player's name was introduced over the sound system.

The Special Olympians played hard, and the audience was appreciative of their efforts. The extra practice must have paid off, because the following weekend Chautauqua County won the bronze medal at the Special Olympics Games in Binghamton.

The final day of Macker Weekend saw another 10 hours of basketball action, as champions were crowned on every court.

Phil Belvees, one of the dozens of area basketball officials who volunteer their time to serve as "Gus Busters" during the Macker, checks on a girl who skinned her arm during a game.

The tournament was a tremendous success. A total of 537 teams registered to play in the Macker. For the second straight year, the tournament was played in downtown Jamestown, with the Jamestown Savings Bank Ice Arena serving as the event's focal point. Players, spectators and volunteers appreciated being able to escape the hot temperatures by entering the air-conditioned Ice Arena.

Proceeds from the Gus Macker tournament go to TRC Foundation, which supports The Resource Center's mission of improving the lives of people with disabilities.

"Macker time is when we all pull together to benefit The Resource Center and TRC Foundation, which work every day providing services to persons with disabilities living in Chautauqua County," said Vicky, who also is TRC's Special Projects and Events Coordinator. "Everyone who participates in the Jamestown Gus Macker Tournament is outstanding and appreciated, and receives my heartfelt gratitude for making our 12th annual tournament an absolute success".

See everyone in 2009!

Greg Krauza, a member of TRC Foundation's Board of Directors, and his daughter Molly keep score on the Top Men's Court.