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ISHPEMING -- The Ishpeming Gus Macker 3on3 Basketball Tournament is coming to town next weekend, May 19-21.
There are 160 teams signed up to participate in the three-day event. It is estimated by the Gus Macker organization that it will bring over 4000 people to the streets of Ishpeming.
The event is organized locally by a dedicated group of volunteers who have spend much of the winter coordinating efforts to secure sponsorship, city permitting and other pre-event details.
The Gus Macker organization itself has a traveling crew of workers to lead the weekend, but it takes several additional volunteers to make the weekend a success.
As the saying goes, "Many hands make for light work." This is especially true with events. Crews are needed for set-up and tear-down, registration, score keeping, general duties and refereeing.
Equipment will arrive in Ishpeming on Thursday afternoon when the bulk of the work to assemble the hoops and backboards will take place. On Friday afternoon the hoops will be put in place and the courts taped.
The courts will be lined-up and down Hematite Drive from Main Street to 3rd Street, down 1st Street to Pearl Street, and branching off on Cleveland Avenue and Pearl.
The Dream Courts need to be assembled which takes about a dozen volunteers laying out large square tiles and connecting them together, kind of like assembling a giant puzzle.
It is a cool feeling after putting the last piece in place and seeing the transformation of asphalt to a red, white and blue half-court.
The bulk of the registration check-in will happen on Friday starting at 4pm and Saturday morning.
Volunteers are needed for check-in, bag stuffing, and merchandise sales. Opening ceremonies take place at 8 a.m. on Saturday with the first games starting at 8:30 a.m.
During the games on Saturday and Sunday score keepers, referees and general duty volunteers are needed throughout the day. People do not need to volunteer for the entire day and there are options to help in blocks of time.
Break down and packing of the courts will be happening Sunday afternoon and pretty much everything will be back to normal by 3 p.m. For more information or to sign-up to volunteer go to www.gusmackerish.com.
Even if you do not have time to commit to help or just not sure what a Gus Macker event is all about come on down. After seeing all the excitement and festivities most likely you be motivated next year to get involved.
To learn more about the GINCC, visit www.gincc.org or give us a call 906-486-1111.
Our hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday through Friday and the office is located at 910 U.S. 41 West in front Jubilee Foods & Fuel.
Please call ahead as we are out of office from time to time.
EDITOR'S NOTE: Bob Hendrickson is the executive director of the GINCC. He resides in Negaunee with his wife, Laura, where they raised their daughter, Sierra. He enjoys mountain biking, skiing, fishing and hunting along with family time.