Dick Enberg CMU Alumni Commitment Award

Scott McNeal, '79, owner/founder Gus Macker, LLC., exemplifies everything that all Central Michigan University graduates should possess upon graduation; a passion for your chosen industry, involvement with community and most importantly, a love and commitment to their alma mater.

The creation of the Gus Macker basketball tournaments in 1974 began with 18 of Scott's friends playing competitively for $18.  The tournament continued to grow and in 1987 moved from Lowell to Belding and took to the road because of a tremendous demand from communities outside of the home base. The "Gus Macker All-World Tour" was greeted with enthusiasm and spectacular news coverage in every area. Since 1987, the Macker Tournaments have expanded, holding both indoor and outdoor tournaments in over 75 cities and with over 200,000 players and 1.7 million spectators enjoying 3-on-3 competition and family fun each year.

Each year Scott donates $10,000 to the Central Michigan University Events Center for the efforts of students who plan and execute a Gus Macker 3-on-3 Basketball Festival as part of the class RPL 333 (Production of Festivals and Events). This experience allows undergraduate students to run the tournament on campus as a real life-learning laboratory for event management and festival planning.   The Gus Macker held at Central Michigan University is the only tournament in the 42-year history to be completely run by college students.  In addition, he volunteers his time to attend class multiple times each semester and brings numerous members of his staff to help facilitate conversation.  Scott also hires CMU students as interns working with his national 3-on-3-basketball tour and as paid staff members in roles such as retail and tournament operations.

One of the proudest moments of Scott's life was being selected as the Grand Marshall of CMU's Homecoming in 2011. In addition, Scott is a long-time season ticket holder with football and men's basketball.

Scott is also involved in his current community in Belding Michigan.  He is a member of the Belding Public Schools school board, active with the Chamber of Commerce, co-chair, of the Labor Day Celebration, and is on the Recreation Advisory Board for the City of Belding. In all instances, Scott carries the spirit and passion of a proud Central Michigan University graduate and he waves the Chippewa flag proudly. Scott's daughter Meg attended and graduated from CMU and is now working in the retail merchandising industry.