Suspension of MACK Academy basketball program in wake of North Amityville stabbing brings out supporters

Community members are rallying around a popular basketball program in North Amityville that had its permits suspended by Babylon Town after a woman was stabbed following one of the group’s events.

Since 2017, the MACK Academy has run a summer basketball league for youth and adults, as well as after-school and career mentorship programs. MACK, which stands for Making Athletes Career Knowledgeable, operates its basketball program at Bolden Mack Park in North Amityville.

According to the town, MACK has a permit through the parks department for the games and had a permit for its opening day event on June 28, which town officials said was to include vendors and a music performance.

According to a Suffolk County police report, at 9:46 that night, officers responded to a call about a “disturbance” at Bolden Mack and were approached by the victim who “advised she had been stabbed in the confines of the park” and who was then transported to Good Samaritan University Hospital. The extent of the woman’s injuries was unclear and a police spokeswoman said no arrests have been made.

The town immediately suspended the group’s permits and the group faces having them permanently revoked, a town spokesman said.

Town Supervisor Rich Schaffer said the stabbing was only part of the reason the town took action, and there were “other things going on during the course of the day” that caused concern. He cited videos and phone calls the town received alleging unpermitted food sales as well as alcohol and marijuana sales at the event.

Schaffer said there were almost 1,000 people at the park, which he likened to “a postage stamp” in size that can only hold a few hundred people.

“We had to get their attention to make sure that they understood that something really bad could happen with an uncontrolled situation,” Schaffer said of the permit suspension.

Voices and a petition of support

During a recent town board meeting, a dozen people, including MACK founders Dan Lloyd and Andrew Ayodeji, spoke in support of MACK. Lloyd presented a petition signed by more than 700 people wanting the program to continue. 

“There’s been some hiccups and bumps in the road but I’m looking forward to kind of building with you guys,” Ayodeji told the board.

Vanessa Baird-Streeter, president and CEO of the Health & Welfare Council of Long Island and a former deputy county executive under Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone, told the board she has known many young people who have been through the program.

"They learn about character, they learn about commitment, they learn about the importance of community," she said. "Those characteristics can't always be taught in a home. Sometimes it has to be those youth organizations, people that you may look up to because sometimes we don't listen to our parents."

In response to questions from Newsday, Monte Malik Chandler, attorney for MACK speaking on behalf of Lloyd and Ayodeji, said in an email that they “cannot be certain of all that transpired on June 28” but they are “committed to maintaining a safe and respectful space” and will work with the town to strengthen those efforts.

In 2024, the group served 400 youth and 300 adults, he said.

“We are proud that the MACK League draws significant community interest and that Bolden Mack Park has become a vibrant gathering place,” Chandler wrote. “While we cannot control the actions of individuals unaffiliated with our program, we remain committed to working closely with the Town and local law enforcement to ensure that the space remains safe, clean, and in alignment with Town expectations.”

Chandler told Newsday the stabbing happened more than an hour after the conclusion of the event and that MACK had 15 private security guards on site, along with volunteers and coaches, to handle crowd control. The music act scheduled to perform never did, he said.

Town, program in talks

When a town permit is suspended, the permit holder can appeal the decision and a revocation hearing is held, Schaffer said. MACK had a hearing July 10 and lawyers for both sides are currently in negotiations. Schaffer said the town wants to bring back the basketball program but not permit any other events.

“Nobody wants to stop the basketball games,” Schaffer said. “The MACK does a terrific job on the basketball side and with mentoring kids and all of that. Where they’ve fallen down is these special events that they’ve held.”

Schaffer said after a league closing event last year that involved a large crowd, Lloyd and Ayodeji, the MACK founders, were warned.

“We were very clear with them with what they could and could not do, so that’s why we're disappointed in them with this opening event,” Schaffer said.

As a result of the warning after last year’s large closing event, Chandler wrote the group “implemented an earlier start and end time,  increased volunteer presence, added crowd flow coordination, and maintained an active communication line” with Suffolk County police.

“We are confident that additional protocols can be implemented without punishing the children for the acts of unrelated adults,” Chandler wrote.

At the town board meeting, Daphne Baptiste, of North Amityville, told the board she had been seeking a mentorship program for her son and MACK “opened up that door” for him.

“As a single mom, you look for communities to come together to provide that support,” she said.

Wyandanch Memorial High School Principal Paul Sibblies said incidents can occur at any event, including professional games.

“These boys have hopes and dreams and it’s essential that we put these things in place for it to happen,” he told the board. “We have to stay focused on the purpose, not on these incidents.”

By Denise M. Bonilla

denise.bonilla@newsday.comdenisebonilla

Denise Bonilla has worked at Newsday since 2003 and covers the Town of Babylon, including the villages of Lindenhurst and Amityville.