GCC set to dedicate baketball court
Gogebic Community College announces the dedication ceremony of the basketball court
in the Lindquist Student and Conference Center to longtime Coach/Instructor Dennis
Mackey on Tuesday, November 26, 2024 in between the women’s and men’s game that evening
against Bay College. The women’s game begins at 5pm CST.
Dennis Mackey, a Kenton, MI native and 1981 graduate of Ewen-Trout Creek School was a four-sport high school athlete, and four-year high school basketball starter under Coach, Tom Caudill. Mackey continued his education at Gogebic Community College and played basketball for the Samsons under Coach, Deke Routheaux from 1982-84. The ’82 -‘83 team compiled a 15-8 record with Mackey averaging 6.09 points per game (ppg); the ‘83-‘84 Samsons finished 20-6 with Dennis averaging 3.9 ppg. While playing for Gogebic, Coach Routheaux dubbed Mackey his “point forward” – a forward’s body/skillset who played the point position on offense.
Mackey earned an Associate’s Degree in Business from GCC in 1984; a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management from Northern Michigan University in 1987; and a Master of Business Administration from Lake Superior State University in 1993.
Mackey began employment at Gogebic Community College in 1988 as a part-time business instructor and women’s basketball coach. He continues to serve as a business faculty member and basketball coach at GCC after 36 years of service. He’s also served as the athletic director (AD) or as interim numerous times during his tenure: 2006-13, interim AD from February – October 2017 and from January 2021- May 2022.
In 19 seasons as the GCC women’s basketball coach, the Samsons posted a 256-227 record while winning two National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division I Region XIII championships in 1995 and 1998. The GCC women advanced to the NJCAA Division I National Tournament in 1995 held in Tyler, Texas.
During the last 17 seasons, Mackey coached the Samson men’s basketball team compiling a 242-236 win-loss record. The Samson men won the NJCAA Division II Region XIII Championships in 2011 and 2013.
Dennis Mackey was named NJCAA Region 13 Coach of the Year three times – once for women’s basketball in 1998 and twice for men’s basketball in 2011 and 2013.
The 2024-25 Samson men opened the season with two wins, bringing Coach Mackey's win total to 500! Throughout his 963-game coaching career, Mackey’s teams have traveled over 184,000 miles throughout the US and into Canada. During this time frame, Mackey has been a coach and mentor to over 300 student-athletes.
Coach Mackey’s quote “Once a Samson, always a Samson” exemplifies his 36+ year commitment to Gogebic Community College, his love for the game of basketball, and his respect and gratitude for the young men and women who have played for him at GCC.
Mackey has been married to his wife, Andrea (Ceccon) ‘85 for 37 years and together they have three children, Caitlin ‘08 (Michael ‘08), Adam ‘16 (Maria ‘19), Jesse ‘12 (Patrick ‘15) and four grandchildren: Nora, Millie, Kyree and Will.
Mackey’s entire family have been huge supporters of GCC and Samsons athletics having all been student-athletes. His family continues to assist with many Samson fundraisers including the Spring Thaw Tournament, golf tournament, summer league, basketball camp, along with during the season whether it’s working the concession stand, selling 50/50 tickets, reffing or keeping stats.
Through a variety of fundraising activities throughout his tenure at GCC, Mackey has helped raise approximately $400,000 for the basketball program which has been awarded primarily as scholarships to student athletes.
In Dennis’s spare time when not in the gym or classroom, he enjoys hunting, golfing and gardening.
Come out and celebrate Dennis Mackey and cheer on the Gogebic Community College Samsons on Tuesday, November 26 as the Samsons take on the Norse from Bay College with the women’s game beginning at 5:00 CST immediately followed by the dedication ceremony to Mackey and ending the evening with the men’s game at 7pm. Go Samsons!
