Midwest Professional Basketball League (1961-1964)
North American Basketball League (1964-1968)
Continental Basketball Association (1969-1970)
Tombstone
Born: 1961
Folded: 1974?
First Game:
Last Game:
CBA Champions: 1973 & 1974
Arenas
- 1972-73: Godwin Fieldhouse
Marketing
Team Colors:
Ownership
Owners: Albert S. Maine?
Background
The Grand Rapids Tackers were a locally popular club that played in various semi-pro basketball leagues in the Midwest between 1961 and 1974.
Former University of Toledo star Steve Mix played for the Tackers during the winter of 1972-73 after his pro career initially sputtered with the NBA’s Detroit Pistons and ABA’s Denver Rockets. After averaging 31.1 points per game with the Tackers in 1972-73, Mix revived his career and went on to play another 10 seasons in the NBA, mostly with the Philadelphia 76ers.
Little information about the Tackers has survived into the internet age. I believe the team owner during the 1970’s was a fellow named Albert S. Maine. We would also like to know if the team played in other gyms besides the Godwin Fieldhouse. If you can share memories or info on this club, please leave it in the comments of this post.
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24 Responses
Don Vroon was coach of the Tackers. We practiced at Calvin from time to time. I worked with him during that year
Tackers played at one point in Civic Arena. Their owner at that point was Roger Lemon
I’m currently writing a book on Melvin “Sugar” McLaughlin, which includes some of the Tackers that used to work in the community (e.g. Hershel Turner, George Knighton, Delton Heard, Elmo Carlisle, Eddie Johnson, etc.). The Tackers also played sometimes at the Civic Center. I remember playing my first basketball game ever in 3rd or 4th grade for Hope Lutheran Church during half time (I think we played against Martin Luther School at the time, which is now Our Savior). It must have been in around 1973 or 1974. Richard Klunder was our coach and was friends with Mr. Ware, who was with the Tackers. Everyone was laughing at us, because we looked like a bunch of midgets compared to the Tackers! William Brashler wrote an essay on his own experience with the Tackers called called “Wilma, Whitey, and the Tackers.” in the book Thin Ice: Coming of Age in Grand Rapids, ed. by Reindeer Vantil and Gordon L. Olsen, pp. 256-268.
In 1964, the Allentown Jets of the EPBL played an interleague contest with the Grand Rapids Tackers of the Midwest Professional Basketball League. The Jets won 138-136, winning the only minor league “World Series of Basketball” interpromotional game ever held.
My grandfather was Al Maine. He owned the Tackers when I was very young. He was a printer and the team or league (cannot remember which one) owed him money for printing services. He absolved the debt for ownership stake (at least that was always his story). Still have some of their orange towels.
Hey remember me; Steve Mix and I used to ride to Grand Rspids together. And besides myself, there was Willie Mccarter and many more whose blood sweat and tears helped shape Tack Tavker history back in the day look us up. Thanks Dennis Stewart
Hi Dennis Stewart you were my favorite Tacker player miss watching you play basketball
Hey Dennis. Was in high school at Godwin Heights when you guys played on sat nights.great times! Me and friends from school still talk about those days now. Hope you are doing well!
Had season’s tickets from 1964 – 1968. Never missed a home game and went to games in Holland (Oilers) and Musgeon (Panthers). There were also teams in Battle Creek and Chicago, which played ALL away games. Team colors were orange and white. Some of the players from this era were Nick Mantis, Willie “the bird” Jones, Dr. M. C. Burton, Mike Graney, George Knighton, Billie “the Hill” McGill, Larry Comely, Ralph Honderd. They were extremely successful, usually winning the league. Great memories.
Let’s not forget Joe Johnson south high school 1963 & Michigan state,Just passed October 23 2020, Good basketball in G- Rap back in the day.
yeah, joe johnson was good enough to play NBA. Teeter Babe McPherson was another alumni.
Hi Dennis, My Grandfather was Al Maine so I took in almost all the home games from the late 60’s into 70’s, even serving as ball boy for a few seasons. I just want to thank you for all the great basketball memory’s and excitement you and your teammates brought to Grand Rapids. I had several favorite players and you definitely are at the top of the list. Man could you shoot the ball and had such a smooth release. I use to think the only purpose for the rim was to hold the net up so we could all hear the swish from another Dennis made field goal. If I recall you went on to play a season or two in the just formed ABA which had the talents of DR. J. I hope all is well for you and your family. PS – The CBA also bought the talents of George “Iceman” Gervin to the Grand Rapids area, he played for a team out of Pontiac before going on to NBA stardom.
I believe the Tackers played several seasons at Rogers HS before moving to the larger gym at Godwin Heights HS, which held about 3600. Lots of former Big Ten players on the rosters, so it was pretty good basketball to watch. I recall once before a game and after warmups were over and most of the players had left the floor, Dennis Stewart came over to the scorers table at mid-court, took the game ball off the table, turned around and took a jump shot at the south basket. Swish.
Yes Dennis Stewart was my favorite players and there was Others as well Don Edwards , Joe Johson ,Steve Mix, Elmo Carlie, and more I miss all of those games at the Godwin Fieldhouse my dad would bring us to all the games at home I would listen to the away games on Wood Radio with Warren Reynolds
If I remember correctly, the Tackers original owner was named Bob Sullivan, he owned a carpet store(or 2) in GR, hence the team name.
When I was in high school at Creston, my buddies and I would drive out to Godwin to watch Don Edwards play for the Tackers. He was our gym teacher at Creston!
Me Too! Was a Polar Bear as well and had the late Mr. Edwards for gym.
Would sure love to see a box score from that 64 game between Grand Rapids and Allentown-that might be a book in itself-some great players in these so called ‘minor’ leagues
My father was the official score keeper and wrote up the games in the Grand Rapids Press. As a grade school boy I saw most of the games for years. My favorite was Willie The Bird Jones. He would pace up and down the bench drinking Pepto Bismol. He was the 6th man and when he went out he would explode on offence and defense. For 2 or 3 minutes it was the Willie the bird show. He was amassing. M C Burton was begged by the NBA to play in there league. He thought he could do better as a Dr. instead and played part time for the Tackers. I remember his free throws. He would stand sideways and shot more from his shoulder. They almost always went in. M C’s brother played on the Harlem Globe trotters and Wilt Chamberlin was his best man for his wedding. I can’t remember MC’s brothers name. He played with the Tackers for a few years as a center. I remember he would get into fights sometimes. Joe Johnson every once in a while would put on a drippling exhibition on offence. He was amazing. Dennis Stewart would come out and make shots almost from the center line. Best shooter I ever saw. I think it was Hershel who had eyes in the back of his head when passing behind him going down the lane. Mike Graney was amazing at defense. I miss and loved the Tackers.
Played pregames in the early 70’s at Godwin Fieldhouse for Ideal Printing with Mickey Phelps, Tom Dykstra and other good hoopers. Never forget George Gervin being in the locker room when we finished then going out and dropping 45 on the Tackers for Pontiac
For a couple of years I was one of two ball-boys for the Tackers. The things I heard while on the bench was an education in life! My favorite memory was on a Christmas Day when we were playing at the GR Civic Auditorium. It was 1962 or ‘63 and there was a blizzard going on and we were expecting a new player, one Nick Mantis, to start that date and give our offense a boost. Mantis was late due to the storm and showed up at half time. The Tackers were way behind and not happy with the slippery worn out Civic court. Mike Grainey was livid when on a fast break, he slipped and slid under the bleachers hurting his groin! Mantis stared the 2nd half and he couldn’t miss. His outside shooting, inside drives and passing helped to catch up and get a lead that finished with a win! He had at least 30 points in that 2nd half and was smooth as silk doing it. I learned he was an All-American from Northwestern, played with Oscar Robertson and the Cinninati Royals, but was seriously injured in a car accident at one point. Apparently, he was out of a job and began again playing in the Semi-pro’s. He did limp, as a result, but was a definite key to help the Tackers become the team to beat.
One more quick story. We traveled a few miles to the Holland Civic Center to play the Holland Oilers. The owner and coach of the oilers was a loudmouth and got into a fight in the Entrance area with big old Roger Lemen, a Tacker VIP. Someone threw a Coke on Roger and I was only a few steps away. The oilers had a 7 footer rehabbing from the Pistons, a Reggie someone I can never remember the last name. He was rehabbing from drug issues and he did die later on from an overdose, but after a short career with the Pistons. The Oiler coach-owner and his assistants all wore Red Sportcoats and to me looked like Car Salesmen! I want to say his name was Don Cook or something like that. Not sure who won that game!
Yep, great memories watching the Tackers at Godwin Fieldhouse. Watched many a game with my Dad and when we didn’t make a game I’d record it on cassette on WOOD radio I think it was. Still have a few of their orange programs too. We watched Denny Stewart hit over 40 countless tines. Hubie Marshall. Ernie Johnson Don Edward’s. Steve Mix. Ricky Green. Saw George Gervin play the Tackers, Justis Thigpen and plenty of other great hoopers that escape me right now. Great memories from the long gone good ole days when you didn’t have to keep your head on a swivel when you attended an event with 1000s of other Tacker fans
Just discovered this site and wow, such memories. I graduated from Godwin Heights HS in 75, so I saw many, MANY of these games on Saturday nights. This was in an era where dunking wasn’t that common so to see Dennis Stewart lighting it up was a treat! Pretty special to see the Ice Man playing on my HS court, as well.
How about the guy from Gary and Purdue Jim Roger? Thanks to Elmo Carlisle, I had a place to stay each time I came to Grand Rapids. Dennis, you left us in At the end of the 72 – 73 season. Yet, we won another CBA championship during the 73 – 74 season. What a time we had…
Thanks to you all guys!
James Rogers at 74 years old and still kicking