By Shelby Siegfried
for the Register
Malleck has mastered free-throw shooting, hitting 96% and having made more than 1.6 million free throws in his lifetime.
Every weekday at 6 a.m., 89-year-old Gene Malleck laces up his sneakers and takes to the basketball court at the McCook YMCA.
He takes a few dribbles from behind the free-throw line, and starts his routine of 250 shots. Malleck has been a regular at the YMCA since 1999, meticulously tracking every shot he takes—and the few he misses.
“It’s really an important part of my day,” Malleck said. “If I don’t come here, there’s just something missing.”
His dedication has paid off — he makes 96% of the shots he takes, totaling more than 1.6 million free throws made during his lifetime. He has mastered a skill that he is now graciously offering to share with others.
This year, four lucky attendees at the 50th annual fall festival at St. Patrick Parish in McCook will have the chance to win one-on-one, 30-minute free-throw shooting sessions with Malleck himself. The sessions will be auctioned off Sept. 29, providing a rare opportunity to learn from a true master.
A longtime member of St. Patrick Parish, Malleck grew up on a farm north of McCook, one of six boys in a hardworking family.
“We did what all farmers did—it was all hard work,” Malleck recalled. “But all my brothers and I loved sports and were very active.”
Malleck’s love for basketball began early. He played for Red Willow High from 1949 to 1953 and later for McCook Junior College in the 1950s, where he led the team to the NJCAA Final Four. Although he achieved considerable success, including scoring a record 58 points in a game while working at Boeing in Wichita, Kan., Malleck never seriously considered going pro.
“I couldn’t jump high enough or fast enough,” he laughed. “I could probably beat them in free throws, but that would be about it.”
Over the years, Malleck has adapted his game as his body changed.
“I used to do a lot of running, swimming, and playing golf and one-on-one basketball, until my hips gave out, and I couldn’t run anymore. So, I started shooting free throws,” Malleck explained.
Even after shoulder surgery in 2010 forced him to temporarily switch to shooting with his left hand, he worked hard to regain his accuracy.
“It took a while, but I eventually got to be almost as good with my left hand,” he said.
Malleck’s fitness routine was shared with his wife of 63 years, Marjorie, who passed away in 2021. While Malleck was on the court, Marjorie could often be found across the hallway at the YMCA pool.
Malleck also offered his expertise by coaching St. Patrick basketball teams in the early 1970s.
“It’s fun to see the kids grow in their confidence and get better with practice. When I’m at the Y, I like seeing the younger kids come in to shoot hoops,” he said.
For Malleck, shooting free throws is as much about mental focus as it is about physical skill.
“The game stops for free throws. There’s no one in your way. It’s just you, the ball, and the hoop. It’s mostly a mental challenge. You either hope you make it, or you believe you’re going to make it,” he shared.
His personal achievements include making 942 free throws in a row at the age of 72, along with other impressive streaks of 750 and 500 consecutive shots. Malleck has also competed in the free-throw shooting and “hot shots” basketball competitions at the Nebraska Senior Games, where he won gold medals in both events for his age group.
“It’s my recreation, shooting free throws every day,” Malleck said. “It keeps me going and gets my day started off. I’ll just keep shooting as long as I can.”
Malleck’s contributions to the community extend beyond the court. He retired after 45 years of driving school buses in southwest Nebraska and is also a talented musician. As a member of the local band “Saggy Bottom Boys,” Malleck has entertained many with his vocals and guitar, blending bluegrass and country music with humor.
Malleck’s free-throw shooting sessions will be auctioned off at the St. Patrick fall festival, alongside a variety of other items, including homemade baked goods, handcrafted items, and special services and experiences offered by parishioners.
St. Patrick Development Coordinator Shannon Corder emphasized the significance of these contributions to the fall festival auction.
“The auction is a special opportunity for parishioners to support the church and school with their unique talents,” Corder said. “The entire fall festival is a collaborative effort of the parish, school, and community. Everyone contributes their time and talent to make the annual event a day of family fun and fellowship.”
For more details about the 50th annual fall festival and auction Sept. 29, follow St. Patrick Church in McCook on Facebook and Instagram.
