Norwich dedicated the 25th anniversary of Gus Macker to Frank Benenati and Hazel Muserilli. The tournament was so successful at its new location, at the Norwich high school, it will likely return to the venue. (Photo by Morgan Golliver)

NORWICH – The 25th anniversary of the Norwich Gus Macker Tournament was emotional as it was enjoyable as we said goodbye to two beloved volunteers we lost and welcomed new teams.

This year’s event was a trial run with a new location at Norwich high school, and new challenges, including fewer teams and volunteers, but the event was a grand success.

Norwich YMCA’s Executive Director Jamey Mullen, shared his thoughts of the weekend.

“It was great to walk around and watch 22 basketball games going on at the same time,” he said. “Also the joys of watching kids high-fiving, quirky team names, and 100 plus people surrounding the 10 and under courts. You can tell this was big time basketball.”

Mullen, along with YMCA Sports Coordinator Tom Revoir, were shocked to hear that Norwich was named Macker city of the year.

They were focused on capturing the memories of past tournaments, with Revoir giving an emotional speech commemorating 25 years.

“ We are honored to be recognized for the hard work over the years but this isn’t the success of just one person, it’s all of us,” Mullen said.

Mullen and Revoir also took the time in opening ceremonies to honor sponsors that have supported the tournament in all 25 years.

NBT Bank, Rentals to Go, The Evening Sun and Pennysaver, the three branches of the city including the Department of Public Works, the Fire Department, and the Police, and Red Roof Inn, formerly known as Howard Johnson’s, were all honored with trophies.

As for Revoir, he said this year was an impressive event, even better than he anticipated.

“Every year we plan it and don’t have certain things, so we get nervous. But, on the day of, it goes flawlessly,” he said. “Dream court was spectacular and featured a great mixture of youth. The location was outstanding and was always jam packed with people.”

With the new location at Norwich High School, Mullen and Revoir received positive comments about the venue. They also appreciated the phenomenal support from the school administrators who allowed them to have the tournament there and for allowing them to gain access to the building when needed.

The location helped volunteers who set up and teared down the event save time because everything was there, so they didn’t have to run back to the YMCA for extra supplies. The event was also respectful of the surrounding neighborhood with its 10 p.m. curfew as well as turning the speakers to face the school to block the noise from the streets.

The event was such a success that it may return to the site again next year. Revoir said the school and Superintendent Scott Ryan were very pleased with how the tournament was presented.

One of the few challenges the venue could face in the future is if there were more teams. This year’s tournament was down 100 teams with 210 teams who participated this year. In past Macker years, 300-400 teams filled the downtown streets.

There were also four divisions of teams under 10 this year compared to only having one division in years past. Some courts saw a total of 13 or 14 teams based on ages while others only had eight teams, making for a shorter day.

Mullen suggested with the potential dilemma of having extra teams next year that there could be more teams on courts that only had eight or 10, which would fill the brackets and extend tournament times. The possibility of using the NHS baseball field parking lot for extra teams is logical as well but that would take away parking space and make the tournament spaced out where players and spectators would have to walk around the building to get there.

“If we end up getting 300-400 teams, we’ll have to find a completely new location,” Revoir said. “But the size that we were might be the largest we have to be. If it grows, the more money we make, but it’s not about the money. It’s more about the people and the quality of the event.”

It is unclear regarding Gus Macker next year as this was the final year of its contract with Norwich, which are agreed upon in three-year increments. Mullen and Revoir are not thinking about next year quite yet, but are hopeful Macker is here to stay.

“ It’s a formality. We’re not going to have an issue getting it back,” Revoir said. “Macker won’t turn us down. We are one of the best tournaments they have.”

The Norwich YMCA, along with the Norwich High School, are anticipating having Gus Macker return in the summer of 2023. A full photo page from the event can be found on page 10.