Rev. James D. Conley, D.D., S.T.L. | Diocese of Lincoln website

Gene Malleck, an 89-year-old McCook resident, has achieved mastery in free-throw shooting, boasting a 96% success rate and having made over 1.6 million free throws in his lifetime.

Every weekday at 6 a.m., Malleck can be found at the McCook YMCA basketball court. He begins his routine with a few dribbles behind the free-throw line before taking 250 shots. A regular at the YMCA since 1999, he meticulously tracks each shot he takes—and misses.

“It’s really an important part of my day,” Malleck said. “If I don’t come here, there’s just something missing.”

Malleck's dedication has paid off—he makes 96% of his shots and has totaled more than 1.6 million free throws made during his lifetime. This year, four 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 on Sept. 29.

A longtime member of St. Patrick Parish, Malleck grew up on a farm north of McCook as 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 passion 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. Despite considerable success—including scoring a record 58 points in a game while working at Boeing in Wichita—Malleck never seriously considered going professional.

“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 time, Malleck adapted his game as his body changed.

“I used to do a lot of running, swimming, playing golf and one-on-one basketball until my hips gave out and I couldn’t run anymore," Malleck explained. "So I started shooting free throws."

Even after shoulder surgery in 2010 forced him to temporarily switch to shooting with his left hand, he worked hard to regain accuracy.

“It took a while, but I eventually got to be almost as good with my left hand,” he said.

Malleck shared this fitness routine 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.

In addition to his personal practice, Malleck coached St. Patrick basketball teams in the early 1970s.

“It’s fun to see kids grow in their confidence and get better with practice," he said."When I’m at the Y,I like seeing younger kids come in to shoot hoops.”

For Malleck,s hooting free throws is as much about mental focus as physical skill.

“The game stops for free throws.There’s no one in your way.It’s just you,the ball,and hoop.It’s mostly mental challenge.You either hope you make it or believe you’re going make it,”he shared

His personal achievements include making942free throws row age72 along other impressive streaks750500 consecutive shots.M alle ck competed“hot shots”basketball competitions Nebraska Senior Games where won gold medals both events age group

“It’s recreation shooting every day,”M alle ck said keeps me going gets started off.I’ll keep long can”

M alle ck contributions community extend beyond court retired after45years driving school buses southwest Nebraska talented musician.As member local band“Saggy Bottom Boys”entertained many vocals guitar blending bluegrass country music humor

M alle ck’ s free throw shooting sessions will auctioned St.Patrick fall festival alongside variety other items including homemade baked goods handcrafted special services experiences offered parishioners

St.Patrick Development Coordinator Shannon Corder emphasized significance these contributions fall festival auction

“The auction special opportunity parishioners support church school unique talents,”C order said entire collaborative effort parish school community Everyone contributes time talent make annual event day family fun fellowship”

For more details about50thannual fall festival auction Sept29 follow St.Patrick Church McCook Facebook Instagram