Lakeland takes over planning of Sheboygan Gus Macker event
Lakeland University is excited to announce that Launch: Lakeland Student-Run Businesses will be planning one of Sheboygan County’s most popular summer events, the 2021 Gus Macker 3-on-3 basketball tournament.
Sheboygan’s Gus Macker will be held July 31 and Aug. 1, 2021, at the Harbor Centre Marina on the Lake Michigan shoreline. This will be the 26th year the Macker is being held in Sheboygan.
The two-day tournament is open to players of all ages and abilities for a weekend spent on the basketball court and at the beach.
Lakeland is taking over planning the event from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sheboygan County.
“We're so grateful to the community for supporting the Boys & Girls Club through Gus Macker for the past 25 years,” said Boys & Girls Clubs of Sheboygan County Chief Executive Officer Christina Singh. “We continue to strengthen our services for Sheboygan County's youth by focusing on innovative, quality programming. We are thrilled that the magic of Gus Macker will continue with the choice of Launch: Lakeland Student-Run Businesses to lead and grow it.”
Lakeland is looking forward to working with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sheboygan County to transition the event’s planning, said Kym Leibham, Lakeland’s director of strategic outreach.
“The Gus Macker has been an important part of summer in Sheboygan for more than 20 years, and everyone at Lakeland is excited to help make sure this tradition continues,” Leibham said.
Scott McNeal of Gus Macker said the group is fired-up to have another great tournament in Sheboygan.
“This event has become a staple in our 3-on-3 tour for over 25 years,” McNeal said. “The Macker players really love the venue and quality of the basketball at Sheboygan. I’m excited that Lakeland University and its Launch venture are stepping up to keep the tradition going. Here’s to another 25 years of awesome summer-time hoop action.”
The mission of Lakeland’s Launch venture is to transform Lakeland students into the next generation of innovative leaders by providing paid experiential and entrepreneurial learning opportunities that prepare students for diverse careers in a multi-faceted world.
Lakeland students will be empowered to create, develop, manage and lead business ventures. These experiences are part of a campus-wide initiative that instills an entrepreneurial mindset that is applicable across all majors.
“Planning and managing the Gus Macker is perfect for Launch as it will provide our talented students with the opportunity to deliver a high-profile community event,” Leibham said.
Dozens of dedicated volunteers run the Gus Macker, which draws hundreds of teams to take to the courts in 3-on-3 play.
Registration dates will be announced when they are set.
In addition to tournament play, there will be a slam-dunk contest, a dream court for the mini-Mackers, and more. Fantastic food will be available onsite, featuring vendors such as Sheboygan's own Johnsonville brats.
Questions about the 2021 Gus Macker can be emailed to Leibham at LeibhamK@lakeland.edu.
