MACKEY'S MOMENT: Gogebic CC Coach Honored

Click the thgumbanils to see photos and videos, and to hear interviews with Dennis Mackey and Bay College Coach Matt Johnson.

IRONWOOD---Gogebic Community College basketball coach Dennis Mackey was honored Tuesday night for crossing the 500-win mark in his 37-year career at the Ironwood school.

The school named the basketball court inside the Lindquist Center after Mackey in a ceremony attended by hundreds. Mackey, who has coached both men and women over the past 37 years at Gogebic, has complied an overall record of 502 wins and 465 losses, including the Samsons' 86-80 loss to Bay College Tuesday night.

Mackey, who also taught at Gogebic and served as the school's athletic director on several occassions, was surrounded by his family and former players in an emoti0nal ceremony.

"It's overwhelming," Mackey told RRN Sports. "Very humbling. I'm obviously very honored to have my name on the court. But at the same time, it's more than just me. It's the progra. It's my family. It's everybody who's helped me to get to where I am right now. And wuite frankly, it's about our players. I'm proud to be at Gogebic and I'm proud of what we've produced."

Mackey says that basketball has changed a lot since he started 37 years ago. But, he adds, one thing had not changed.

"One a Samson, always a Samson," he said. "That's (written) on the floor. I'm excited about it. I'm just very grateful for the honor."

Bay College Coach Matt Johnson, who has known Mackey for nearly two decades, said that Mackey deserves every honor that he gets.

"He's a really, really good basketball coach, and his teams are always tough to prepare for and tough to play against," Johnson saidf. "You've got to put in, and be dedicated and committed to, 30-plus years of student-athletes. The time and energy spent with those kids is incredible."

Johnson and Mackey have faced each other multiple times, going back to Johnson's days as the coach of Hibbing (Minn.) Community College. But Johnson says it's not all business.

"As good of a basketball coach that Dennis is, he is an even better person. He's a great guy to talk to. He's a great guy to hang out with," Johnson said. "It's great to be able to be here to witness this and to be a part of it."

Mackey says the game has changed in that there is now a three-point line, and a shot clock, neither of which were in place when he started. He says more players are specializing in one sport, and most are stronger and more physical. And...more emtitled.

"There's a lot of people who expect to be catered to," Mackey said. "There's a lot of instant gratification, and not as many guys are willing to put in the time to EARN their spot on the floor. They're expecting to take the world by storm and move on to the next level. They don't realize how many people are out there, how many good players there are. Quite frankly, Matt and I struggle to find enough athleties in the U.P. to come here and play, and to be a factor."

But to sum up this night of honor, Mackey was tearing up.

"It's special because I've spent a lot of time here. This is whewre my blood, sweat, and tears has been for the past 37 years. I'm not about me. I never have been. It's about the Gogebic Cmmunity College. But I am appreciative. It's emotional. This has been my life."