Macomb-Western Holiday Basketball Tournament

The man who piloted Illinois' premier holiday basketball tournament for the last 20 years passed away just nine days prior to tipoff of one of his greatest passions: the Macomb-Western Holiday Basketball Tournament.

Adron W. McMahon, 78, died at 7:14 p.m. on December 18th at McDonough District Hospital in Macomb after a lifetime of involvement in youth activities. He spent more than 35 years as both a high school football and basketball referee. He coached the Macomb American Legion Baseball team for 19 years and was inducted into the Illinois Basketball Association Hall of Fame as a "Friend of Basketball." He also spent the last 35-plus years helping to organize the annual holiday boys basketball tournament.

Tony Karas, the former Athletic Director of the now-defunct Western Lab School at W.I.U., recalls McMahon's tournament involvement began in 1972, "Adron suggested we should have a banquet for the teams." Karas continued, "He said, 'If we got 16 sponsors, we could afford it!' Adron jumped right on it and he did it." The banquet for the tournament teams and their sponsors continues to be a tradition to this day.

Eventually, Western High would close its doors, Karas would remain on the tournament committee and McMahon would assume the leadership role of the tournament as chairman. "Around Labor Day, Adron would start salavating in anticipation of the basketball season," Karas recalled. "For the last 20 years, 75-percent of the tournament was Adron's responsibility. Without him, this thing would not have flown."

Current Macomb High Athletics Director, Dave Bartlett, admired McMahon's dedication to the student-athletes. "Whenever there was a decision to be made, there was one question Adron would always ask, 'What's best for the kids?'," said Bartlett. "He's left quite a legacy."

The tournament committee is currently making plans to honor McMahon during this year's event.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 27, 2007 at the First Baptist Church in Macomb. Rev. Wally Holt will officiate. Burial will be at the Oakwood Cemetery in Macomb. The family will meet with friends from 6:30 until 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, December 26, 2007 at the Clugston-Tibbitts Funeral Home in Macomb. In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorials be made to the First Baptist Church or to the Macomb High School Athletics Department. You may sign the guest book and leave on line condolences at www.clugston-tibbittsfh.com.