Gus Macker Basketball will return to the Southern Tier and make its Elmira debut July 19-20.
If you love watching basketball or are just looking for an opportunity to take part in a major event this weekend, downtown Elmira will offer both.
Gus Macker, a nationally recognized 3-on-3 basketball tournament that travels to cities across the United States, will make a stop in Elmira July 19 and 20.
This is the first year a tournament will take place in Elmira. Gus Macker debuted in Corning last year after a nearly 25-year run in Hornell.
Corning's Gaffer District and Elmira Downtown Development teamed up to bring Gus Macker back to the Southern Tier, alternating annually between the Gaffer District in Corning and downtown Elmira.
The event has the potential to attract hundreds or even thousands of players, families and spectators to downtown Elmira, boosting foot traffic and generating revenue for local restaurants, shops, and hotels, according to Elmira Downtown Development.
There will be some street closures to accommodate the tournament.
From 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. between July 17 and 20, North Main Street from the north side of West Water Street to the south side of West Church Street will be closed, along with West Gray Street between the east side of College Avenue to the west side of the parking garage entrance, according to the Elmira Police Department.
In addition to the weekend tournament, there will be a celebrity basketball game at 6 p.m. July 18.
Team A will feature Elmira Mayor Dan Mandell, Elmira Downtown Development Executive Director Kylene Kiah, City of Light Youth Basketball Director Juhura Shazer, and Chemung County Sheriff Bill Schrom.
Team B will include Elmira City School District girls varsity basketball coach A'Don Allen, Gaffer District Director of Events Marshall Ferrari, Cohen Elementary School Principal Krissy McNamara, and youth sports advocate Wally Bailey.
Gus Macker Basketball was founded in 1974 by Scott McNeal as a small, backyard gathering of friends in Lowell, Michigan. Since then, it has gained national prominence as the Gus Macker team works to promote the values of teamwork, sportsmanship, and community engagement, according to the organization's website.
For more information about the Gus Macker Elmira tournament, go to elmiradowntown.com/post.php?pid=156.
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This article originally appeared on Elmira Star-Gazette: Elmira will host the nationally-known Gus Macker basketball tournament
Category: General Sports
