MAC Basketball Through the Years

“The first honors for the Cherry Diamond were achieved by the fast basket ball team of the season of 1902-03. Under the management of Marion F. Parker, the team representing the Missouri Athletic Club went into the game with a vim, and speedily demonstrated their superiority over all the other similar organizations of the city. In the city league they took the lead early in the race, and retained it all season.”

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The very first issue of the Cherry Diamond magazine, which was printed in August 1903, dedicated significant space to one of the Club’s oldest endeavors: basketball. The sport of basketball and its enthusiastic players have been a crucial part of the Club’s history since its humble beginnings nearly 120 years ago. Over the years, countless players have graced the courts of the Downtown and West Clubhouses, from Division I athletes to international players to guys who just love the game and want to spend time on the court.

Today, the MAC hosts basketball open age and over 40 leagues year-round, with more than 400 players on the active Club basketball list. The season kicks off every fall, with games from September through early December. After the holidays, the winter leagues pick up in January and go through mid-March. Assistant athletic director Rick Schneider says they currently have 122 active players, with 300 on the pick-up list. This winter’s over 40 league is made up of six teams that play on Wednesday nights, with another five teams playing Monday and Tuesday nights in the open league. “A few years ago, we switched up our leagues where instead of me, Jeff Tuhro or Scott Mattingly putting teams together, we do a draft,” Schneider said. “[The players] get so into it. We choose captains, and then it’s just like fantasy sports where we go through ‘til everyone’s off the list.”

Though competition on the court can be fierce, the longstanding MAC camaraderie is never far away. Carter Alexander, one of the captains, noted that though he’s relatively

new to St. Louis, he was welcomed into the basketball leagues right away.

“[The guys] compete hard, but at the end of the day we’re all friends,” he said. “We all come down to the Jack Buck Grille and have a drink, hang out and enjoy each other’s company.”

Past President and captain Brent Kaniecki called the camaraderie with other basketball players “tremendous.”

“We end up down in the Jack Buck Grille after [our games], which is probably the highlight of both leagues,” he said. “I’ve met some of my best friends here.”

On top of their dedication to each other, MAC basketball players’ dedication to the game is steadfast, Schneider said.

“They’re playing pick-up at West on Mondays and Wednesdays, pick-up Downtown Thursday and Friday, and then Saturday there’s a game at both locations,” he said. “They just love to play.”

During the months of March and April, MAC basketball leagues are in the thick of their double-elimination style tournament. In the middle of that, the Club hosts its yearly basketball banquet for the players, slated for Monday, April 6 this year. Awards will be handed out, from the goofy “worst free throw percentage” award to the rookie of the year award to the more prestigious Bill Daake award, named after a beloved

MAC basketball player who was all about sportsmanship.

After the tournament wraps up in midApril, the MAC’s traveling teams hit the road. Five teams made up of more than 50 players will travel to Las Vegas for the North American Association of Club Athletic Directors Basketball Tournament later in the spring, where they’ll compete in five different divisions.

For those who’ve been a part of the MAC basketball scene, every day on the court is something special. Former Governor Gerry Burns said that though he plays on three other half-court leagues, the MAC ones are his favorites.

“It’s all about the camaraderie here and the quality of guys — and the quality of ball, for that matter,” he said. “I wouldn’t miss it.”

Former Governor and longtime MAC basketball player Gary Sextro feels the same way.

“I joined the club in 1976, so if you do the math, that’s about 43 years,” he said. “[These are] a great group of guys. We have a camaraderie that’s something special.”

USBWA COLLEGE BASKETBALL AWARDS presented by Tom Lange Company

Monday, April 13, 5:45 p.m. AWARDS PRESENTATION Oscar Robertson Award National Male Player of the Year Ann Meyers Drysdale Award National Men’s Freshman of the Year Wayman Tisdale Award National Men’s Freshman of the Year Tamika Catchings Award National Women’s Freshman of the Year Henry Iba Award Men’s Coach of the Year Women’s Coach of the Year Award F

Zion Williamson 2019 Oscar Robertson Trophy Award Winner