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contact director: millerc@mac3on3.com
| If you're curious about some of the basic history of the league this is a good page to browse. |
| origin | Men's League | Women's League | Tournament Champions |
| Jr. League | Rule Changes | Memorable Moments | photos |
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The Origin of the Mac 3on3 League The idea for a 3on3 full court league in this community actually came from Ft. Dodge, Iowa, where I assisted the city's Park and Recreation Department as a supervisor back in 1980. I was able to play in the league as well and found it to be a great tool for polishing one's skills in the off-season. The open court and increased number of ball handling opportunities is just what a developing player needs to help reach his/her potential. The first year for an organized 3on3 league in the Maconaquah community was back in the summer of 1986. We started with 10 teams and played at the old Miami gym in Miami, Indiana. We operated on much the same format as we do today. Only minor changes have been made over the years. In 1987 we were given the opportunity to move to the Maconaquah Middle School gymnasium. This allowed us to run 16 teams and we remained at that number until jumping to 20 in 1994. In '96 we added four more slots and in '98 we grew to 32 men's teams.
In the midst of the men's growth we also started the current women's league. After failing to get enough participation to get things rolling in 1994 we tried again in '97 and saw enough interest to hold the first season as we were able to field eight teams. '98 saw an identical number of teams before rising to 12 for '99 and 2000. As interest and support continue to grow we see potential for 16 to 24 teams in the near future. Although most of the rules have stayed the same over the years we have experienced some changes. When we began in 1986 the three point shot had just been adopted into high school play in Indiana. The Miami Gym had no 3pt line painted on the court so we played without it. When we moved to the middle school building in '87 we put tape down on the court but did not count the 3pt shot in competition until less than two minutes remained in the game. Players were allowed to compete in a 3pt "shootout" competition throughout the season as each player was given 1 minute between games to make as many threes as he could. Each player also shot 5 fts. between games which counted towards the annual ft% award. The ft. portion is still part of our format today. For both fts. and 3pters, a season long tally was kept and only those stats went towards the awards. In 1992 we dropped the "3pt. shootout" and began allowing the 3pter throughout league games. It was also at that point that we began including fts shot during competition towards the season long ft. tally. Dunking could not be permitted until breakaway rims were purchased at the end of the 1998 season.
In 1997, a rebound ended up swatted into the lap of a of a pregnant onlooker who was seated in the end bleachers at the middle school gym. She reportedly went into labor that evening and gave birth to a healthy little boy. Fortunately there were no complications. In 1988, the single game team scoring record was set at 80 pts. It was re-broken later that season and still stands to this day at 84 pts. In 1990 we tried a "Jr. League" for 7th, 8th and 9th graders. We came up with enough for six teams and played a regular season just like the men's league. Mike Vinopal and Matt Golitko were a few of those Jr. Leaguers. We have not done it since but it could happen again.
contact director: millerc@mac3on3.com |
