Rarely could the legacy of any entity be wholly voiced in a manner close to its origin. An almost living, breathing entity like Rucker Park screams animated character and characters … mythological occurrences told and retold worldwide.
I can remember coming off the patio of my family’s apartment at the age of seven and putting basketball equipment in the hallway. My Dad — Rucker Tournament Commissioner Robert “Bob” McCullough — and me loading 24-second shot clocks into the elevator. Trying to get everything on it in one trip, then chain-loading out the front door of the Riverbend building, 2311 5th Avenue.
We would frequently be met by the world-renowned architect of tap and Apollo Theater figure, Howard “Sandman” Sims, a free spirit who had performed with Bojangles and Sammy Davis Jr.. I often wondered why he was there, helping us out. He was a humble servant, generous of heart and teller of stories for days.
Rucker Park is named for Holcombe Rucker, who sought to provide New York City youth with summer activities in the late 1940s and early 1950s as a playground director for the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation in Harlem, a post he held from 1948 to 1964. He began what would become a global brand. The Rucker Tournament began in 1950, first consisting only of junior high school-aged youth before including high school and college-age players in 1953. One year later, Rucker founded the Rucker Pro League.
Fans of a certain age remember the exploits of local Rucker legends like Joe Hammond, Pee Wee Kirkland, Carlton “Moto” Green, Artie Green, Herman “Helicopter” Knowings, Charlie Chris, Jim Bostic, Fly Williams, Arnold Duggar, Leroy Shaw, and the Harlem Globetrotter contingent that was a core presence from the start: Bobby Hunter, Tony Jackson, Pablo and Walter Robertson, Jumpin’ Jackie Jackson.
NBA greats, some of them New Yorkers — such as Nate “Tiny” Archibald and Julius “Dr. J” Irving — as well as a Philadelphia product named Wilt Chamberlain, wowed the crowd. The Rucker grew into not only a basketball pilgrimage but a cultural phenomenon. It was a beanstalk that took you magically to the land of proverbial and literal giants. It’s where some met their eventual spouses, where hustlers and lucky hitters of the illegal numbers racket showed out with the newest model of cars, where players displayed the latest style of sneakers.
Illustrious former HBCU hoopers like Bob McCullough Sr. (Benedict College) and Kirkland (Norfolk State) represented the deep Black college talent pool of the day. There was no place in the world like it.
The facts were somehow misconstrued. I’m sure itt will be adjusted.