Wayne MacKay, 87, plays basketball twice a week at Mount Allison University. CTV News
At 87, Wayne MacKay continues to defy expectations, remaining active and playing basketball regularly. Despite being just weeks away from his 88th birthday, MacKay can be found on the court twice a week at Mount Allison University, joining drop-in games with students who are around a quarter of his age. Reflecting on his love for the sport, MacKay shared, “I just enjoy playing basketball. Whoever shows up, you know. It’s a fun game to play.”
The significant age difference doesn’t faze him, though he admits it makes a difference on the court. “Well, it’s tougher for me because I can’t move faster than I’m available to do right now,” MacKay acknowledges, though he continues to keep up with the younger players.
MacKay’s deep-rooted connection to basketball began in the early 1960s when he moved from Truro, Nova Scotia, to Sackville, New Brunswick, to play for the Mount Allison Mounties. Over the years, he transitioned to coaching, leading both the varsity and junior varsity teams and leaving an indelible mark on Sackville’s basketball scene. Often referred to as ‘the father of modern basketball in Sackville,’ MacKay was inducted into the town’s sports hall of fame in 1998 after dedicating more than two decades to coaching and mentoring teams of all ages.
Peter Hess, one of MacKay’s former players, recalls how the coach transformed a group of farm kids into provincial champions. “We had built up a program of basically just farm kids. Good athletes, but not very talented, and he gave us the skills and the passion for the game to do well in the sport,” Hess explained. Now, seeing MacKay still hitting the gym every Monday and Wednesday inspires him. “I’m only 59, he’s got 30 years on me, so if he can do it, I can do it,” Hess said with admiration.
Longtime friend Frank Oulton shares similar sentiments, amazed by MacKay’s longevity in the game. Oulton noted that while MacKay has slowed down somewhat, his competitive spirit remains undiminished. “Earlier this year, I saw him sort of slowing down a little bit, but if you give him a little bit of juice, he’s ready to be the old Wayne that would dive for loose balls,” Oulton said. While MacKay’s shooting range may have shortened, Oulton warned, “If he’s eight or ten feet from the hoop, you’ve got to have a hand up in his face.”
MacKay’s presence on the court has also left an impression on the younger players. Nineteen-year-old second-year Mount Allison student Shayam Prabhu said, “He can run, he can shoot, and he knows how to play well with his basketball IQ, so hats off to him.” Twenty-three-year-old Joseph Gonzalez added that every time he shows up for the pick-up games, MacKay is already there. “I want to be like that when I’m that age. I want to still be able to come out and play with the younger generation,” Gonzalez remarked.
When asked about the secret to his enduring vitality, MacKay credits staying active and walking frequently. “I don’t know what secret I have,” he said. “I just know that I’m still able to do things that allow me to get out and play basketball.” As for the future, MacKay plans to keep playing for as long as he can, driven purely by his love for the game.
