M.I.C.K. Tournament is Unbelievable
Huntington opened its collective heart last Saturday for the first M.I.C.K. 3-on-3 basketball tournament. The event raised more than $10,000 for the family of Michael "Mick" Luckow, who passed away suddenly last Father's Day.
Mr. Luckow was a popular figure in the community. Together with his wife, Carolyn, and children ages 12, 9 and 5, the family was a fixture on local fields and courts. Mr. Luckow coached lacrosse, basketball and baseball in the St. Hugh's athletic program and the Huntington Sports League.
The 3-on-3 M.I.C.K. (Me, I Care about Kids) tournament drew hundreds of participants and spectators to Louis D. Giani Gymnasium at Huntington High School. The event was open to those ages 10 through adult. Love was in the air on the courts and in the bleachers.
The fun kicked-off at 9 a.m. with fourth and fifth graders on the basketball courts and continued through 2 p.m. There were over 60 teams with four players per squad. An enthusiastic committee of community volunteers organized the event. "The turnout was fantastic and everything was planned to the last detail," said Bari Fehrs, one of dozens of volunteers on the scene.
"This past Saturday was unbelievable," said Georgia D. McCarthy, district director of physical education, health and interscholastic athletics. "For a first annual event, the amount of raffle baskets, donations, participants and spectators were amazing. The tournament went extremely well."
The enthusiastic crowd of fans included classmates, teachers and support staff, school board members, family and friends. Mrs. McCarthy and Joe Messina organized the teams and served as dual masters of ceremonies. Mrs. Luckow was among the participants in the adult women's competition, which was one of the day's highlights.
"I thoroughly enjoyed announcing at the event," Mrs. McCarthy said. "The students that participated in the tournament were great, but the most entertaining part of the tournament was watching the moms play in the 3-on-3 games."
Huntington area merchants displayed their generosity by donating items for more than two dozen raffles, including "A Weekend with a Lotus" car raffle. Home baked goods were donated for sale at the busy refreshment stand. Proceeds from the event will go to the Michael R. Luckow Foundation, which will eventually provide assistance to the Luckow children's future education and needs.
"It was an incredible day," Mrs. Fehrs said. "Seeing the community pull together for a family with such a strong show of support brought tears to my eyes. I know Carolyn and her boys, as well as Mick's parents and siblings, were so touched by everyone's efforts. It was an emotional day and everyone who was part of it should feel very proud."
After the tournament wrapped up, dozens of participants headed down to Huntington village and Rookies Sport's Restaurant, which donated food. Event raffle winners were announced there to conclude the festivities.
"It made me feel very proud to be a part of the Huntington community," Mrs. McCarthy said about the day. "The support and love for the Luckow family was overwhelming, and it just goes to show what a great community we have here in Huntington."