Support The Gus Macker Tournament

West Herr Proud To Be Involved with Annual Basketball Tournament

It's summer, meaning it's time for 3 on 3 basketball.  The Buffalo Police Athletic League (PAL) and Kids Escaping Drugs will again be hosting the annual Gus Macker Basketball Tournament.  The event will take place June 26-27 at 65 Niagara Square in Buffalo. 

See some highlights from last year's event

This tagline for this year's event is "Making The World a Better Place to Live" and the PAL aims to hold true to that promise.  They said:

100% of all proceeds from the event will directly benefit the children of our community through the programs of PAL. The focus and goal of PAL’s core programming it to build strong athletic, cultural, social and recreational opportunities that area youth are attracted and held to; while adding age appropriate prevention and education to each activity.

All tournament games are 3 on 3 and there is a bracket system in place until a champion is crowned.  The PAL provides board certified referees for the games and Wegman's will even sponsor a warm up fitness routine to help players avoid cramps and injuries. 

In addition the cocession stands will be expanding to include Applebees, Just Pizza, and Sahlens’s Hot Dogs. 

West Herr is proud to be involved with the event yet again.  Few people know how much volunteer work goes into the event.  As we noted in a blog post from last year's event, there were over 700 volunteers.  Truly a testament to the generous people of Western New York. 

The tournament started in 1974 in a Lowell, MI driveway as Scott and Mitch McNeal found 18 friends and played for an $18 purse.  Today the tournament takes place in over 75 cities and draws a total of 1.7 million spectators attending.  The Gus Macker site says the tournament continues with the following objectives in mind:

• A Wholesome, family-oriented event.
• A tournament designed by players for players
• A value to sponsors.
• An outstanding fund-raising event for the local community.
• A major media sporting event.
• Entertaining for the spectators.

For more info about the history, rules, and regulations visit the general tournament website here.  For more information on how to register a team or Buffalo specific questions, visit the local site here. 

We hope to see you there!